How the alternatives to the Uruguayan could fare at Anfield.
It seems as though the transfer of Luis Suarez to FC Barcelona from Liverpool is as good as done and therefore replacements for the forward are going to be needed.
Here are five alternatives to the 27-year-old and how they will fit into the Reds team.
Antoine Griezmann
For: After an impressive year with Real Sociedad – in which he scored 16 La Liga goals – the 23-year-old then played a key role for France as they reached the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Although generally operating from the left flank, Griezmann has the ability to play anywhere in attack and is good in possession and likes to run at opponents.
Against: Although started the 2013/14 campaign strongly the Frenchman tailed off towards the end of the term and therefore his consistency has been questioned at times.
Also Griezmann is less potent in front of goal than Suarez and would probably work better as part of a three-man attack that also contains at least one out-and-out No.9.
Source: Daily Star.
Lazar Markovic
For: This youngster has been creating quite a stir in Portugal with Benfica and helped them to the Primeira Liga title last season and also a second successive Europa League final.
At 20-years-old Markovic has plenty ahead of him and has already achieved so much at a young age and although likes to play on the right, can also operate on the left and as a No.10.
Against: Lacks experience, despite his game time for the Portuguese side last term and will probably need time to adjust to the Premier League and cannot be expected to be thrown into the starting XI immediately.
Also at £25m the Serbian would be an expensive outlay when it could take a number of years for Markovic to fulfill his potential.
Source: Mirror.
Divock Origi
For: Eclipsed Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku in the Belgium team at the World Cup and despite being just 19-years-old did not look at all fazed by the occasion.
Origi is also a striker by trade and that could be useful considering it will be Suarez’s goals and attacking presence that will be missed the most when he leaves for the Nou Camp.
Against: Like many others on this list the Belgian lacks experience – particularly on the Champions League stage in a competition the Merseysiders are returning to for the first time since 2009 next term.
It would be a similar story to that of Markovic as well, with the starlet likely to need some time to adjust to the demands of English football.
Source: Sky Sports.
Alexis Sanchez
For: Probably the strongest name on this list, the 25-year-old has had a brilliant last 12 months for both club and country, scoring 19 La Liga goals for Barca and then impressing with Chile at the World Cup.
Sanchez also has bags of experience at the top of European football and should be able to slot straight into a Brendan Rodgers team that relies on passing on technique.
Against: Will be the most expensive alternatives, although is still likely to cost less than half the price that his current side will pay for Suarez.
The physicality of the Premier League will not appeal to the 25-year-old’s style and as has become so common in the past it would be an expensive risk for Rodgers to plump for Sanchez.
Source: talkSPORT.
Xherdan Shaqiri
For: A disgruntled figure at Bayern Munich due to a lack of game time, the Switzerland international has openly admitted he would leave the Allianz Arena this summer in pursuit of more game time.
A strong and sturdy figure, Shaqiri is useful in possession, has an for goal and can also operate more-or-less anywhere in the final third.
Against: The 22-year-old is said to lack consistency and this is the reason he has fallen out of favour at Bayern and has failed to live up to the potential that was shown with FC Basel.
Shaqiri is also thought to possess an attitude and ego that could rub some people up the wrong way, although Rodgers does have brilliant man management skills.
Source: Daily Star.
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