Liverpool fans want Aston Villa player signed, after pundit says he would suit Reds

By Will Butcher

Liverpool could be in the market for a new striker this summer with Divock Origi’s future in doubt at Anfield, and Don Hutchison has suggested an England player that has scored at Anfield this season – promping reaction from Liverpool fans.

Origi, 25, has managed just 181 minutes of Premier League football for Liverpool this season. While has has managed 17 appearances in all competitions, the Belgium international has scored just one goal – and his future looks to be in doubt.

The Premier League and Champions League winner has a contract at Liverpool until 2024 – but the chances of him remaining at Liverpool beyond this summer look unlikely. He has played 157 times for Liverpool, but he will hardly add many more.

A new striker could be required then, even if Origi stays. Roberto Firmino is far below the standard of striker required, while Diogo Jota is better suited in the positions currently filled by Mo Salah and Sadio Mane. Don Hutchison has a suggestion.

(Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking on Optus Sport’s The Review Show, Hutchison suggested that Liverpool should consider Watkins – suggesting the England man would suit Liverpool: “I think he’d do well in a Liverpool shirt, Ollie Watkins. I think he’s an exceptional player.”

Signed for £28million from Brentford last summer, Watkins has since clocked up 14 goals in 33 appearances for Liverpool. 12 of those goals have come in the Premier League, in what is his first season in England’s top tier. England have rewarded him.

Gareth Southgate chose to call-up Watkins in the most-recent international break, and the Villa striker duly repaid the Three Lions manager – coming on as a substitute against San Marino and scoring the fifth goal in a 5-0 win against the part-timers.

Watkins is now considered one of England’s best strikers and while a place in the Euro 2020 squad looks unlikely – he is certainly in the conversation to be on the plane ahead of this summer’s tournament. It is testament to how far he has come.

(Photo by Laurence Griffiths – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

So, does he suit Liverpool? Well, the Reds could do with a striker if Origi leaves – and Watkins is much like Origi, he is even the same age. Both possess power, pace, strength, excellent finishing skills and aerial ability. Watkins offers more, though.

During his latter seasons at Brentford, Watkins was moved from the left flank into the middle of the attack and joined Villa as a last-man striker – rather than a winger. But Watkins can do a job out wide, meaning he is good cover for Salah and Mane.

The question is, do Liverpool want to spend big on a player that is going to be worth a whole lot more than Villa paid for him in the summer of 2020? A figure could be double the original £28million – but he will not be first choice.

Surely, Liverpool would not want to spend such an amount of money on a player that will not start? Well, Liverpool fans agree with Hutchison that he would be an excellent addition – after he scored against Liverpool on Saturday at Anfield.

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