Although Liverpool are determined to dig their heels in and keep Raheem Sterling despite his rumoured desire to leave Anfield, there’s every chance he could force his way out this summer.

Losing a player of the 20-year-old’s quality would be a massive blow - especially with Steven Gerrard also going and Luis Suarez having been sold last year – but some careful planning and wise transfer business could provide a silver lining…

And that silver lining might come in the shape of Saido Berahino. The Reds were heavily linked with the impressive 21-year-old over the winter period, and with the West Brom ace not dissimilar to Sterling in terms of playing style he could be a like-for-like replacement.

Here are FIVE reasons we at FFC Towers think this one could make sense…

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Scores more goals…

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In plain terms, Berahino has scored 14 Premier League goals this term… Raheem Sterling has notched seven. The West Brom man has achieved this tally with a lesser team and has played in only two games more than his Liverpool counterpart. Only one winner.

Okay, Berahino has not been shifted to play right wing-back on occasion, but he has flitted across the Baggies’ forward line and has found the net with the service of, no disrespect, players of the quality of Chris Brunt, not Philippe Coutinho. Had the players switched sides, who would be being talked about the most right now? Erm…

Won’t ask for over £100,000-per-week…

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Berahino’s wages are estimated to be in the region of £12,000-per-week.

That’s already almost a third of Sterling’s £35,000-per-week earnings, so could he realistically demand over £100,000-per-week?

Surely not. In truth, the West Brom man’s current worth is probably in the region of Sterling’s salary now, so the Reds could save themselves a pretty penny by luring the Midlands ace to Anfield.

Liverpool could make a profit

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With Berahino mooted to be worth around £20m, Liverpool could make a profit, even if they sell Sterling for below the £50m they’re thought to be holding out for.

So a ready-made replacement and as much as £20m-£30m to spend on strengthening other areas of Brendan Rodgers’ squad? Not bad. Okay, losing Sterling is not only a signal of the Reds being a selling club but also a blow in terms of his first-team contributions, but with a little more thought than was put in last summer, the Merseysiders could get some top class players in for the money they might make.

Able to play in any role up front

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Much like Sterling, Berahino is an extremely versatile attacking player.

His pace and positional awareness have seen him utilised as a winger on both flanks this season, while his potency in the 18-yard box and ability to contribute to a passing game have led to roles as a centre-forward and as the ‘no.10’.

Rodgers is known to look for versatility in his attacking players in order to keep opponents guessing and deploy a fluid system, so he seems to be a good fit.

Fits FSG’s desired model

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Young at the age of 21, relatively cheap in terms of price tag and wages and potentially a player to be sold on for a big profit in a few years’ time, Berahino seems ideal when it comes to Fenway Sports Groups’ transfer policy.

Like or loathe their model, the Americans have a way of operating, and the example of Luis Suarez and the mega money from his transfer is likely to have enforced their view.

There’s no saying whether or not Berahino will come even close to matching the Uruguayan, but there’s every chance he could be worth £40m in a few season’s time should he impress at Anfield.