Mark Lawrenson’s latest comments are likely to raise more than a few eyebrows among Liverpool supporters. The legendary former Reds defender, who won 12 major honours at Anfield, says that his old club will regret not pursuing a deal for Monaco striker Radamel Falcao this summer.
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Falcao, who spent last season on loan at Manchester United, is believed to be closing in on a move to Chelsea (via BBC Sport). However, after scoring just four Premier League goals for the Red Devils last season and flopping at the Copa America this summer, there has been many a suggestion that the Colombian is past his best.
The 29-year-old was once the most feared striker in the world, having scored 142 goals in four years with Porto and Atletico Madrid, winning nine major titles in the process.
But an ACL injury during the 2013-14 season has seen his form diminish over the last couple of years. He missed the World Cup last summer and was loaned out by Monaco as a cost-cutting measure. He failed to produce at United and was often left amongst the substitutes by Louis van Gaal.
Nonetheless, Lawrenson believes that Jose Mourinho has pulled off a coup by landing the out of sorts striker. In quotes taken by the Daily Mirror, he said: “[If I was Brendan Rodgers] I’d have gone for Falcao – £7m on a loan? I would have taken him.
“Jose Mourinho is pulling off a masterstroke. He played well with Diego Costa at Atletico Madrid so I think it’s a bonus, I really do.”
Liverpool have already secured deals for two new attacking players – Danny Ings and Roberto Firmino – and are believed to be in the market for a third, with Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke the favourite (via the Liverpool Echo).