10 Players Who Can Replace Luis Suarez at Liverpool

It appears that Luis Suarez's time at Anfield may be at an end - or so the media would let us believe.

Given his recent misdemeanors at his club, one wonders if Suarez is actually doing more damage to his reputation by being so outspoken and petulant about his present employers and his desire to leave. Indeed, Brendan Rodgers' move to have Luis Suarez train alone is a good sign that such behaviour will not be tolerated even if Suarez remains Liverpool's most potent footballer on the field.

Evra and Suarez - not really best mates

Moreover, one wonders if Liverpool are even able to sell Suarez now - would Arsene Wenger have such a disruptive and mercurial character at his club with so many youngsters there? In fact, would any respectable club want a player who has been found guilty of biting opponents in his career twice and banned for racially abusing players?

Suarez's loss will definitely leave a big hole at Anfield to fill but it can be filled as it showed last year when he served his ban for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.

Here are 8 players to look at who could replace the role Suarez had at Anfield.

Daniel Sturridge - Brought in to reduce Liverpool's dependence on Suarez for goals, Sturridge has been a big hit at Anfield since his arrival from Chelsea and has really reveled in his role as a focal point of the attack. An injury sustained while playing for England against Ireland in May has hampered his pre-season preparations. If Suarez stays, Sturridge will have plenty of time to get into form and that would be bliss for Liverpool around the busy festive period. If he doesn't, Rodgers will need to accelerate Sturridge's return to form - and that could be bad for the player.

Raheem Sterling - One of last season's revelations and emerging talents, but Sterling prefers to play out wide rather than down the middle - which suits him at this stage of his career. And it may be too much to expect young Raheem to step up and be the it man at Liverpool even if he is capable of doing so. Mind you, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard had to step up prematurely but did so with some effect, and there's the saying, if you're ready, you're ready.

Iago Aspas - One of two new Spanish signings made by Brendan Rodgers. Aspas is not quite a spring chicken having spent a bit of time at Celta Vigo. He has got a goal in pre-season but it would be a lot to expect a newcomer to the Premier League and become an instant hit. He could be a Nikica Jelavic and start off guns blazing but fade away - which would suit Liverpool early in the season. Or he could be a Thierry Henry - but the odds of that happening are pretty slim.

Luis Alberto - The other Spanish signing made this summer. Alberto is still very young and has a lot of potential - although there would be a few questions about why Barcelona let go of him given they don't tend to let their youngsters go so easily. This season might be too soon for Luis Alberto.

Fabio Borini - The ugly duckling of Liverpool's strikers but very much a Rodgers favourite and was unlucky with that broken leg. Came back from injury to score with his first touch. Borini has plenty to offer with his goals but he is a confidence player so Liverpool can't really give the goal-scoring duties straight away to him.

Steven Gerrard - Who else? Liverpool's best ever midfielder consistently gets the goals for Liverpool and at his age, he could be moved up front with Lucas, Henderson and Moutinho looking after the midfield. A bit of a long shot of that happening though.

Phillipe Coutinho - Another January revelation. The Brazilian starlet from Inter really gave Liverpool's attack a lot of polish with his intricate passing game and trickery. Is best as a deep lying playmaker though.

Dani Pacheco - Hailed as Liverpool's rising star a few seasons ago but has sort of fallen off the radar with loan signing after loan signing - probably will be sent on loan again if Suarez stays so the departure of Suarez could be Dani's opportunity to shine.

Diego Costa - Still being courted last time we heard, Radamel Falcao's strike partner at Atletico Madrid could move to Anfield should both parties accept. He wasn't too far in the goal tally behind Europe's most dangerous striker so could be a very good signing.

And..

Fernando Torres - There's no doubt that Chelsea's system doesn't really suit Torres as a player and with Mourinho there, the system will probably work less in favour for Torres than it already does. He will go for less than he left for so Liverpool might very well be able to afford him. And given his previous stint at Anfield, the Kop will forgive Torres pretty quickly.