Liverpool Braced for Loan Offer for Marginalised Striker

Swansea City forward Michu has urged manager Michael Laudrup to raid Liverpool for Spaniard Iago Aspas in the January transfer window.

Aspas has struggled for form and fitness in the opening months of his Reds career since moving from Celta Vigo in the summer.

The 26 year old has made seven appearances this term and after a spell out injured, has been forced to play second fiddle at Liverpool to Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez, both of whom are the highest scorers in the Premier League in 2013.

And Michu wants Swansea to take advantage of Aspas falling out of favour at Liverpool by making a loan bid for his former Celta team-mate in the New Year.

"We (the Spanish players) are hoping he can come here on loan," Michu told the Daily Mirror. "It would be a pleasure to play with him. Iago has had injuries, but he has quality. He deserves to play in the Premier League,"

"He has been unlucky. At Liverpool, they have Luis Suarez and (Daniel) Sturridge, who have scored a lot of goals. Suarez is, along with Diego Costa and others, one of the best strikers in Europe."

The pair played together at Celta from 2009-2011 prior to Michu's move to south Wales via Rayo Vallecano and in the 27 year old's debut campaign he netted 22 goals in all competitions.

However, Michu has suffered in his second term in English football, netting just six so far this as the goals have dried up for Swansea.

Despite signing Wilfried Bony in the summer the Swans have netted just 22 goals in 16 games.

Liverpool meanwhile are staging an assault on the top four and are just two points behind leaders Arsenal after 16 games of the season.