Liverpool face what could be a pivotal summer in their history. The Reds, if they get over the line and qualify for the Champions League, cannot afford to waste the added appeal and financial boost being at Europe’s top table brings (as they arguably did in 2014), while missing out will bring about a window in which bridging the gap is more vital than ever.

One area Jurgen Klopp may be particularly eager to bolster is his attacking line, with Sadio Mane’s winter Africa Cup of Nations exit exposing a lack of pace and penetration in the Reds’ XI. Reports have suggested that Inaki Williams of Athletic Bilbao is an option and La Liga expert Guillem Balague has lifted the lid on this interest:

"He was followed by Liverpool and has a €50m [£41.8m] buyout clause.

"I'm not sure any team would be willing to pay that right now because he has not proved that valuation.

"He is in no rush but he is certainly looking abroad should he move."

And as his stats show, he could be a wise addition…

Williams may not have contributed a great deal in terms of raw numbers – six assists and four goals this term in league action – but at 22, that’s to be expected.

Were he does impress, though, is pure directness, with his 58 shots, 47 fouls suffered and 43 take-ons all evidence of his desire to run at opponents and commit them, which is really encouraging given that he’s a sizable player at 6ft. 1” and able to play in any attacking role.

https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/sturridge-decline.mp4