Liverpool 'plotting £50m swoop for Karim Benzema'

Liverpool are allegedly hoping to solve their striker crisis with a January bid for Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema.

Reds manager Brendan Rodgers is willing to shell out £50m for the France international when the transfer window reopens, according to The Express.

Liverpool hitmen Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini have struggled to find form in the absence of Daniel Sturridge, managing just one Premier League goal between them.

Rodgers has been forced to play Raheem Sterling up front in recent games, but reportedly sees Benzema as the answer to his problems in this department.

Reports in Spain suggest that Benzema is likely to leave Real in the near future, with Arsenal previously touted as a possible destination.