Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has told manager Brendan Rodgers that Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke is the answer to his side's goalscoring woes.

With nine goals, deep-lying playmaker Steven Gerrard finished as the Reds' top goalscorer in the Premier League last season.

Strikers Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert struggled to fill the void left by Luis Suarez - who left for Barcelona last summer - and Daniel Sturridge, who spent much of last season out injured.

Consequently, a talisman is said to be high on the list of priorities at Anfield this summer and speculation has mounted that Benteke heads the shortlist, with Rodgers reportedly bidding an improved £25m last week.

"The striker issue is a big thing," Fowler, who netted 183 goals for the club, told the Liverpool Echo. "We didn't have anyone who scored 10 Premier League goals last year and I can't remember the last time that happened at Liverpool.

"It's important we get a proven goalscorer and, of the names being bandied about, I'd go for Benteke. I think he's excellent.

"I know there are other top strikers out there and probably more prolific scorers but in terms of all-round play - strength, speed, physicality, finishing - I think Benteke could be the main man for Liverpool. I think we cross more balls into the box than any club in the league and I think Christian says he feeds off crosses. There's no point going to a club where they don't cross the ball."

Earlier this week it was reported that the 24-year-old Belgian would snub a move to Tottenham Hotspur in favour of joining the Merseyside club.