Liverpool Transfer News: Christian Benteke Offer to Fail, Mario Balotelli Latest

Liverpool's bid to bolster their forward line with Aston Villa's Christian Benteke could fall short by £10 million. Villa want £30 million for the beefy Belgian striker who is also being watched by Premier League heavyweights Chelsea and Manchester United, per Mirror reporter John Wragg.

The problem is the Reds seem intent on valuing 24-year-old Benteke at £20 million, according to Wragg's fellow Mirror writer John Cross. In all honesty, that's not an unreasonable valuation for a player long on physical talent, but often short on consistent effort.

That Benteke can dominate any defence shouldn't be in doubt. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, whose Gunners side will meet Villa and their powerhouse centre-forward in the FA Cup final, knows exactly the threat Benteke poses, per Arsenal.com's Max Jones: "When he came back into the team, he gave a lift to everybody and of course he has a fantastic leap, he’s an intelligent player as well and he can score goals with his feet. He’s fantastic in the air and can score headers against any team in the league."

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Wenger also highlighted how Benteke's injury woes earlier this season contributed directly to Villa's stuttering league form. Although staying healthy has been a problem for the Belgian, he is certainly a talisman when he's available.

At least he is on those occasions when he pushes himself to deliver his best. As good as he is, Benteke can be guilty of a world-class performance one week, followed by a dire one the next. There's rarely a middle ground with a player whose best and worst form tends to come in streaks.

Perhaps it will take a dominant display from Benteke at Wembley for Liverpool to up their bid. Of course, Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers already knows how devastating the forward can be on the big stage after he scored to help Villa beat Liverpool at the semi-final stage.

Rodgers may feel Benteke's talent, along with Liverpool's major need for striking reinforcements is enough to overlook the issues in the Villa man's game and part with more cash.

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With Daniel Sturridge seemingly unable to get off the treatment table and Rickie Lambert playing a peripheral role, Liverpool urgently need a local focal point along the front. Perhaps Rodgers may cross his fingers and hope for a sudden and shock revival of form from an unlikely source.

Mario Balotelli Vows to Stay

Of all the striking flops at Anfield this season, Mario Balotelli has to rate as the worst. Rodgers' £16 million summer gamble on the gifted but outrageously temperamental Italy international backfired spectacularly.

B/R analyst Sam Tighe rightly included Balotelli in a starting 11 of the worst performers from England's top flight this season:

Yet despite just one Premier League goal, per WhoScored.com, Balotelli is intent on staying on Merseyside. That's according to his agent Mino Raiola, per Sky Sports News (h/t The Guardian's Andy Hunter).

Raiola insists Balotelli has behaved himself despite limited playing time and can work well with Rodgers:

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I have had talks with Liverpool and he will definitely stay.

Mario did [adapt]. I can’t talk for Brendan, that is a question for him, but Mario did and I spoke various times to the club and they were happy with Mario as a professional. I am confident it will happen next year.

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The idea of Balotelli finally buckling down and playing to his immense potential isn't beyond far-fetched, and that small hope, that infinitesimally small hope, is usually what keeps the striker in the game.

There's always going to be a manager who believes he can get the best out of a player who's certainly a terrific No. 9 when he's motivated. Balotelli has the pace, strength and quality in front of goal to be a nightmare for any defence, but he must show that consistently.

Balotelli remains a major risk, but Benteke is also far from the safest bet. Rodgers would be best served casting his net a little wider as he searches for forward reinforcements ahead of next season.