Roy Hodgson and Palace are closing in on a deal to sign Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke on loan, according to reports in Sky Sports.
Solanke, 21, is yet to play a minute of Premier League football for the Merseysiders in 2018/19, and with Palace’s dependence on Wilfried Zaha only increasing in the current campaign, Hodgson is reportedly keen to bolster the attacking firepower at his disposal.
After Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Chelsea, Hodgson confirmed the club’s interest in Solanke, stating “It’s obviously not a secret that’s he’s a target and someone we’d like to have”.
“What would he do for us? He’d provide the attacking threat a good centre-forward should provide and he’s a proven goalscorer through the age groups with Chelsea and England”.
“If he comes here, it will be a great opportunity to show he can transfer that to Premier League football because we have someone who is the profile we are looking for and who I think has the ability we are looking for.”
Since Solanke’s move from Chelsea to Liverpool, the England U21 international has struggled for minutes, despite the promise of first-team action under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp that drew the Englishman up north to Anfield.
It would appear Solanke must prove himself elsewhere to earn the chance of first-team football at Anfield, given the form and consistency of the eclectic front three, Mane, Firmino and Salah, that has seen Klopp’s side go 20 games unbeaten and sit top of the Premier League table.
