Goals have been the major issue at Liverpool this season. A goalless showing this weekend at Stoke, which is entirely feasible, will leave the Reds 50 short of their 101 tally of last term, which tells the story of what’s gone wrong at Anfield.

The sale of Luis Suarez is certainly the biggest factor in this slide, with the Uruguayan having been the driving force behind the title charge of just 12 months ago with his 31 league efforts. He’s gone on to bigger and better things – the La Liga title with Barcelona and a potential Champions League win – which only serves to amplify the pain at Liverpool.

However, Edin Dzeko is reportedly being lined up to help address the issue, and it’s fair to say that he could be a vital cog in Brendan Rodgers’ side. Although quite a different player in terms of approach and style, the Bosnia and Herzegovina international could help to fill the Suarez void…and here are FIVE reasons why Liverpool need him…

[interaction ]

Proven in the Premier League

Dzeko stats

Although he’s never truly been a vital cog in the Manchester City machine, Dzeko has proven himself in English football. 16 goals last term and 14 apiece in the previous two campaigns shows that the Bosnian is a respectable finder of the net, and is even more impressive when Sergio Aguero’s role as the main man is taken into account.

As well as scoring goals, Dzeko has lifted the Premier League trophy on two occasions, and has also tasted success in the League Cup and FA Cup.

A major upgrade on Balotelli

Balo

Looking at Liverpool’s squad, Dzeko is most similar to Mario Balotelli. The Italian was signed to offer a different option, but his inability to fit in with a neat passing game and apparent lack of intelligence on the football pitch in terms of pressing and positioning have negated the things he’s good at.

Dzeko, standing at 6ft. 3”, offers the same target, but he’s far more able in terms of passing and bringing others into play, which is vital in a Rodgers team.

Should be hungry to prove a point

Despite arriving from Wolfsburg with a reputation as one of the best players in Europe back in 2011, Dzeko has rarely be given the opportunities he’s, arguably, deserved. He’s always been viewed as one of Aguero’s back-up men, which has limited his playing time under both Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini.

So, regular playing time at another top end Premier League side could give the 29-year-old amble opportunity to show City what he could have done if given the chance.

Able to operate in a slick forward line

Although a burly forward, Dzeko possesses a great touch and neat movement. With City often facing packed defences, his presence in terms of physicality and deftness of touch has often been enough to open up a backline and provide that vital goal.

One of Liverpool’s major issues this term has been an inability to penetrate tight rearguards, and with the genius of Suarez no longer around, maybe a slightly different approach may be useful.

A statement of intent

Dzeko1

With the likes of Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Fernando Torres and, potentially, Raheem Sterling all names that could be on the exit sheet by the end of the summer, Liverpool look like a selling club nowadays.

So, bringing in a proven talent from a giant club could signal that Merseyside is a place for top players, rather than a stepping-stone.