Three strikers – Which target suits Liverpool the best?

For the past year, Liverpool fans have spent most of their time reminiscing over the brilliance Luis Suarez displayed on a weekly basis for the Merseysiders, during his four-and-a-half years at the club.

Because, let’s be honest they haven’t had much to shout about since the Uruguayan completed his high-profile £75 million move to Barcelona last summer (fee via the Express).

A shortage of goals and lack of attacking impetus has meant that the Brendan Rodgers’ side have looked pedestrian and failed to recapture the glorious form they exhibited in the Barcelona striker’s final season at the club.

They did attempt to re-instil that tenacity and flair by signing Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli and bringing back Fabio Borini from his loan spell, but all have tried in vain to replace the frankly irreplaceable Uruguayan striker. The Reds managed to score just over half the number of goals last season than they recorded the campaign before.

As a result of their lack of firepower, Rodgers will be keen to reshuffle his forward line in time for next term. Departures and arrivals are expected, with Danny Ings already completing a move to the club.

So here are three other possible contenders that could help fill the void left by Suarez.

Charlie Austin

The Daily Express recently reported that Liverpool are lining up a £15 million move for Queens Park Rangers marksman Charlie Austin.

It’s unlikely that the 25-year-old will be plying his trade in the Championship next season but would he be a perfect fit for the Reds or would it be too big a step up?

Since taking the reins at the club, Rodgers has placed a great emphasis on using and developing English talent. His faith has been rewarded with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge all blossoming under his guidance.

Having recently completed the free transfers of Ings and James Milner, the 42-year-old will be hoping to continue that success.

Going by last campaign, there weren’t too many English players who outperformed Austin. The once brick-layer scored a sensational 18 goals in 35 appearances, yet the reason it was so impressive was not that it was his debut campaign in the top flight but that it was in a team that were eventually relegated.

Last term, Sterling was deployed centrally due to the lack of pace up top with Sturridge missing for most of the season. Suarez, like Austin, may not be blessed with electrifying speed but their tiresome work-ethic created opportunities anyway.

Austin is a proven finisher but signing him would certainly be a gamble. He is a poacher rather than a link-up centre forward that Suarez is. The former Swansea manager has always loved to play a fluid style and with Austin who tends not to drift that much, they may be forced to alter their approach.

Stevan Jovetic

It’s safe to say that Jovetic hasn’t quite set the Etihad alight since completing his £22 million (fee via BBC) move from Fiorentina in 2013, 30 Premier League appearances for Manchester City since arriving is poor to say the least.

Furthermore, after he was somewhat harshly left out of Manuel Pelligirini’s Champions League squad in January in order to accommodate new big-money signing Wilfred Bony, it looks like he will be made surplus to requirements at the two-time Premier League champions.

But what better way to prove his doubters wrong than to flourish at a direct Premier League rival.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for the 25-year-old, with City reportedly wanting £20 million for his services, according to the Daily Mail.

Rodgers enjoys versatility in his players and there’s no doubting that Jovetic has that trait. Impressive movement and interchange play suggest that he would be an ideal fit. He is also an industrious player that never shirks from a challenge.

Jovetic will also be hungry to prove City wrong in not trusting him with more starts. As fickle as us football fans are, we’re quick to forget how highly rated he was prior to his move to Manchester when he was attracting some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

The main issue with signing Jovetic is the Montenegran’s injury record. Liverpool already have a job on their hands keeping star striker Sturridge fit what with worrying about doing the same with another.

Christian Benteke

Out of the three, Benteke would offer something completely different to what the Reds already have. He is a proven target-man that has excelled at both club and international level.

Benteke is keen to end his three-year stay at Villa Park and rumours suggest that the Anfield outfit could be willing to meet his £32.5 million buyout clause, according to the Echo.

A powerhouse that’s almost unplayable on his day, the former Genk striker scored 11 goals in Aston Villa’s final 11 Premier League outings last season.

At 24, Benteke’s best form is yet to come and Rodgers has the time to mould him into the frontman he wants him to be.

However on the flipside, Balotelli and Lambert, who are of a similar ilk to the Villa forward, haven’t worked in Rodgers’ philosophy so what’s to say the Villa forward would.

Without doubting his mobility as he has proven he can run beyond defenders, the Belgian international isn’t one for drifting out of position and so Rodgers would be forced to find a new formula in order to succeed.

Ultimately though, Jovetic would probably be the best fit.

His versatility would suit the way Rodgers’ team want to play. The ability to interchange is paramount to the team’s style and former Viola favourite has that attribute more than the other two.

Let’s also not forget the esteem he was held in prior to his move to the Premier League and at 25, he still has time to fulfil his potential if he joins a club that truly value him.