Keirrison: Liverpool to Rescue Barca Striking Starlet from Lisbon Hell

Barcelona beat Liverpool to the signing of Brazilian striker Keirrison last summer in a deal worth £12m. However, reports in both Brazil and Portugal suggest the player on loan at Benfica may well be moving to Anfield in January in a 6-month loan deal. Barca’s summer move disappointed Rafa Benitez who had been tracking the youngster for some time had failed with a move in the last January transfer window.

Keirrison’s season-long move to Benfica was supposed to allow the player to get used to a more European style of play but the young strikers chances in the first team have been limited thanks to the performances of fellow South Americans Oscar Cardozo and Javier Saviola. Barca are reported to be unhappy at their striker’s lack of action at Benfica and are willing to loan him to another club in Europe or back to Brazil where Santos are one of the clubs targeting the player.

Rafa Benitez made a late failed January deadline day earlier this year for the young Brazilian striker known as Keirrison de Souza Carneiro or just plain Keirrison for short. He was seen as a direct replacement for Tottenham bound Robbie Keane but the move failed to come off so Liverpool returned to wrap up a deal in the summer. However, it was Barcelona that signed the talented marksman leaving the Reds short of striking options for the first half of the 2009/10 season.

A move to Benfica was supposed to allow the starlet the necessary game time in a weaker European league but after just one league start, four substitute appearances and no goals, Barca are ready to move the player on.

The 21-year-old star has enjoyed a prolific record in Brazil’s Serie A with Coritiba prior to joining Palmeiras. His record in his homeland speaks for itself so it’s of no surprise that a number of European clubs had been alerted to his talent.

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Despite Keirrison’s tender age he has already shown just how prolific he can be. Last season alone he has scored an impressive 20 goals in just 31 League appearances (30 starts). This is a remarkable feat since this was only his 2nd League season after scoring 12 goals in 32 League appearances (18 starts) in his first campaign. Few youngsters in world football can boast such an impressive strike tally as 37 goals in 70 League appearances (54 starts), so it’s no surprise he is attracting such attention.

After joining Palmerias the striker also scored 5 goals in 7 league matches (6 starts) as well as a further five goals in the Copa Libertadores.

Keirrison broke into the Coritiba first team in 2007 helping the club to promotion from Serie B but it was his impressive arrival in the top division that has underlined his incredible potential. The 5 ft 11 forward is renowned for his pace and finishing ability and his 20 League goals left him 1 strike behind the League’s top scorer. His goals helped Coritiba to a comfortable 9th place in the 20-team Serie A after an excellent return to the top flight. He had since proven himself at Palmeiras that he could score goals but failed to win over all the fans as he is more of a predator than a flamboyant striker.

Liverpool were one of a list of interested clubs last summer that included Arsenal, Olympiakos, Real Madrid and Valencia. Rafa Benitez has reportedly declared his interest in bringing the Brazilian to Anfield in a short-term loan deal to provide competition for both Fernando Torres and David N’gog. However, a number of Brazilian clubs are also looking to bring Keirrison back to Brazil including Santos.

Jose Paulo Fernandes takes over as Santos president in late December and has targeted the striker.
He told Globosporte, “Keirrison is on loan at Benfica, but he is not being used in Portugal, and it is clear we would be interested.”

“But we cannot forget that he is in Europe and is very expensive and is not something simple.”

A loan deal may well suit Liverpool with less fees to pay and a hungry striker who is looking to prove himself in Europe would be a good addition to a Reds team that is looking to close the gap on the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Would you welcome Keirrison to the club in a short-term deal or do you feel the squad has enough depth already? Let’s hear your views.

Tags: Barcelona, Benfica, Brazil, Keirrison, Liverpool

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