Karim Benzema Outshines Cristiano Ronaldo & Gareth Bale Against Liverpool- Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League Star Destined For Premier League Transfer?

Liverpool put out a very "different" side against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League yesterday, however Karim Benzema proved his worth against Premier League opposition. Despite recently signing a long-term contract with the La Liga giants, rumours are still around suggesting that he could one day move to the EPL. The French forward outplayed both Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, showing his worth to Real, but could he soon move to England, possibly to join Brendan Rodgers' men, who he has just hurt so badly?

Liverpool lost the game 1-0, with Karim the difference maker, but could the Reds do with a player of his stature? Rodgers arguably put out a weaker side, but he explained his choices, saying, "I didn't see this as a big showcase game where I had to play the so-called 'names.' It might have seemed a gamble but for me it wasn't."

Soccer legend Gary Linekar insisted: "Selecting a weakened side in Europe's premier competition, especially against Real Madrid, is unbefitting of a club of Liverpool's stature. If I were one of Liverpool's star players, I'd be choked to be left out of a game at the Bernabeu against the European champions."

However, the Reds' manager hit back, saying: "I think the performance says the words. Gary is a figure who I respect and was a top player in his day but he's never been a manager, so he has never truly understood what it is like in terms of picking players. I respect his opinion but I think the words were played out by my team. The performance was far from throwing the white towel in. Right to the very end my players put in a performance befitting of the wonderful club this is. That would be my answer."

Karim may of caused a ton of misery for the Reds, but could he, this summer, fix all of that by joining them for a near $50 million deal?