Liverpool FC: Hodgson Solves 'Home Grown' Problem, Eyes Romelu Lukaku?

To most Liverpool FC fans, Roy Hodgson's time at the hot seat has been fabulous.

It is true that right from the acquisition of Joe Cole to bringing back Fabio Aurelio and then possibly the best "4.8m GBP " replacement for the outgoing Javier Mascherano in Christian Poulsen, the ex-Fulham boss has apparently got things in place just for now.

However, Hodgson's time so far could easily be termed as over-cautious. Clearly the truth of the moment is that Liverpool FC needs a striker, and any other reinforcements should only be thought of afterwards.

In all fairness to Hodgson, though, not only has he been left with a paucity of funds as a his predecessors in the past decade, but he also has to confront a much emphasized rule of filling up the home-grown quota.

As per some reports recently, Liverpool FC were struggling to put together a bunch of respectable eight home grown players as required by the rule in the squad of 25. It was thought that Liverpool had to put in at least one more such player to fit the lot.

Now, it is also thought that Roy Hodgson was chasing the likes of Peter Crouch and Carlton Cole to kill two birds with one stone. Not only would Liverpool have a player in either of the two that would solve the striker crisis, but they also they would find the best possible fit to the “home-grown” quota.

But with Harry Redknapp warding off suitors for Crouch and Cole having a 20m GBP price tag slapped on him, Hodgson and Liverpool have seemingly agreed to go for a cheaper alternative—getting Brad Jones from Middlesbrough.

The Australia No. 2 has been under contract with Middlesbrough for more than a decade now, although he spent most of his time with other clubs (till  2006) on loan. After the departure of Mark Schwarzer though (who  incidentally  happens to be  Australia’s No.1 choice) from Middlesbrough, Jones has been featuring more often.

Roy Hodgson’s preference towards a backup keeper also could have influenced the decision, which apparently looks nothing better than wasting a couple of million pounds. He apparently named three goal keepers on his “players to watch out for list” before the start of the World Cup Football in South Africa.

As per reports, Liverpool are considering handing the 28-year-old Australian the backup role to the unanimous No. 1 Pepe Reina.

Although there are reports that Liverpool’s present No.2 , Diego Cavelieri, is set to join the depleted Portugese giants Benfica, under the present financial scenario of the club it is tough to see that if not for the home-grown rule how Liverpool would have considered a backup keeper as a priority to a striker, with Gulacsi still waiting on the wings.

With the news of Liverpool having already signed Jones getting louder, Hodgson has somewhat solved the “home-grown quota” problem, at least in his own way.

However the more important and interesting rumor making the rounds is Sky Sports stating the fact that Liverpool are also monitoring Belgian starlet Romelu Lukaku from Anderlecht. The 17-year-old prodigy has even bettered his tag of “the next Drogba,” scoring 15 goals in 25 appearances for the club last season.

Clearly with no funds at hand as of yet, Liverpool will have to go for a gamble buy as they don’t have the capacity to lure any more stars and with no more promising free agents available .

In such circumstance, it makes perfect sense for Hodgson to go for a promising talent who could be lured with assurances of first team football, even though his agent presently states Lukaku would want to stay at least one more year at Anderlecht.

But after the transfer circus in the recent years,we all know how honest the agents are when they say anything. A good offer can change things quickly.

The problem for Liverpool is that even Chelsea and Real Madrid seem interested in the striker, and should any among them step on the pursuit, Liverpool’s chances are as good as dead.

The only glimmer of hope for the Reds is the knowledge that Chelsea already have a Drogba and are more desperate for the next Pele in Neymar at the moment.  And while Madrid may still swoop in for some experienced striker with the cash they have at hand,  both their forwards are relatively young in Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain. Plus, with Cristiano Ronaldo in their squad, a striker should not be their immediate concern.

If Liverpool are to go for a bargain buy with an eye for the future, Lukaku is by far a better option as compared to any they have been linked to in recent days, not only because of  his ability which makes him the only 17-year-old stiker that could have success in the Premier League, but also the possible re-sale value that can be obtained by selling him.

The choices for Hodgson are pretty simple here. He has already brought in a lot of experience to the squad, now he should he go for a better version of N’gog or still keep searching for the Next Voronin!