“Carlos Bacca at the end of the season told Sevilla he would like a way out,

"He likes the idea of coming to the Premier League, of course he has been abroad for a few years and would be happy to continue that progression abroad.

"Although Sevilla expect an offer, it hasn't arrived yet."

With Liverpool reportedly looking at Sevilla’s Carlos Bacca as an alternative to Christian Benteke, Guillem Balague’s words are sure to have got a few pulses racing among the Reds faithful. After a disappointing 2014/15 campaign, a need for goals is clear at Anfield, with the days of ‘SAS’ – Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge – tearing things up a distant memory following the Uruguayan’s exit and the Englishman’s apparent inability to stay match fit.

If Liverpool weren’t ready to up their pursuit of the Europa League winner, surely they will be now, and here are FIVE reasons we at FFC think Bacca would be a wise summer addition for the Merseysiders…

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A proven goalscorer

With 34 league goal since the start of the 2013/14 season to his name, Bacca certainly has a track record of putting the ball in the net in one of, if not the, best leagues in Europe. Add to that his seven as the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan outfit claimed the Europa League, he scored twice against Dnipro in the final, and it’s easy to see why he’s the subject of such hype.

Undoubtedly Liverpool’s issue last season was putting the ball away, with their tally of 52 the lowest in the Premier League’s top seven and only ten more than rock-bottom QPR. Daniel Sturridge’s injury woes were a constant issue, but the fact that a 34-year-old Steven Gerrard ended the campaign as top scorer with nine in the league says it all about a lack of potency.

As if any clarification of Bacca’s ‘upgrade status’ was needed, above is his league goals return last term compared to that of Liverpool’s main centre-forward options over the campaign. ‘Nuff said.

Orthodox striker

From Raheem Sterling being used as a striker to a ‘false nine’ system and the wayward movement of Mario Balotelli, Liverpool rarely had a set-up that made any sense last season. Injuries and the loss of Suarez forced Brendan Rodgers’ hand, while the calculated risk on a certain madcap Italian was so far from being the answer that he was effectively bombed out by Christmas.

With Bacca being an orthodox centre-forward, he could offer a focal point. Although not a target man, the Colombian offers presence and will running, which is enough to occupy defenders and allow others to be brought into play.

Feel-good signing

As Sterling edges towards the exit door it looks to be another summer in which the best talent is heading away from Anfield. Gerrard’s exit is unfortunate, but given his age it’s for the best, but the 20-year-old’s looming move is a worry given that the likes of Suarez, Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres have all departed in recent memory.

The additions of James Milner and Danny Ings have created a slight air of positivity, but a marquee player is, perhaps, what’s needed to get supporters back on side after the disappointing 2014/15 campaign.

Within budget…

Sevilla’s transfer big-shot , Monchi, has revealed that a £21.5m release clause-triggering offer will be needed to lure Bacca from sunny Spain, and even if Liverpool are indeed forced to pay such a figure, it’s hardly ‘bank breaking’ for the Reds, who are yet to part with a transfer fee – albeit Ings will command an as of yet unknown compensation figure.

Interested in a move

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If Balague’s words, mentioned in the opening, are to be believed, then Bacca would be open to a Premier League move. The financial gains may be the pushing factor, and Liverpool could potentially offer him the sort of salary that will be enough to turn his head from Champions League football in the south of Spain to a top four push in the windswept North West of England.