Liverpool FC: 5 Strikers Who Could Help Solve the Reds' Goal-Scoring Crisis

Common opinion among Liverpool fans appears to be that the club needs to add elite talent to its strikeforce this summer.

Liverpool's defense was stellar this season, with the 40 goals conceded in 38 games good for third best in the Premier League.

The team's attack, however, was nothing short of dreadful, with the 47 goals scored placing them at 11th in the League, behind the likes of Blackburn, Norwich and Fulham.

Liverpool's attack needs to improve. Here are five options Brendan Rodgers could pursue that could help solve the Reds' goal-scoring crisis.

5. Daniel Sturridge

The Reds could do with adding depth on their wings as well, and, with that said, adding Daniel Sturridge and the versatility he brings would be a good move by Brendan Rodgers.

The Chelsea attacker, who can play as a target man, second striker, or on the wings, joined from Manchester City in July 2009 for £3.5 million and has since gone on to score 22 times in 82 games for the Blues.

While his at-times selfish playing style may not fit the direction Liverpool and Rodgers are moving, his evident attacking ability would be a welcome addition to a lineup that has been starved for any type of offensive creativity for the season.

Frustrated by his lack of first-team football at Chelsea, Sturridge is likely to seek a move away from Stamford Bridge in the summer. He could be available for £15 million, and Liverpool could pounce. 

4. Jordan Rhodes

Off the pitch, Jordan Rhodes is a quiet, humble and introverted 22-year-old, who keeps to himself and his feet firmly on the ground, but there is nothing quiet, humble or introverted about his game on the pitch.

Without a doubt, the most prolific striker and dominant goal scorer in the United Kingdom, the Scottish international scored 40 goals in 45 games last season for Huddersfield Town of League One, at a goals-per-game rate of 0.89.

The striker, who has been booked just six times in a six-year Football League career, makes movement and finishing look easy, bringing all the skills necessary of a top-flight attacker.

Fans will argue that it is easy to score in League One, but when a striker can be so prolific, scoring 0.89 goals per game, it is clear that it is the ability of the striker, not the quality of the opposition, that is making a difference. 

Because of the price tag that would likely be below £5 million, Rhodes would represent a very low-risk, very high-reward signing for Liverpool. It might be worth Brendan Rodgers' time to take a chance on the fledgling Football League star from Fife. 

3. Luuk De Jong

In their search for a striker, the Reds could be looking for an attacking player to serve as a direct complement to Andy Carroll up front.

That would mean someone with an ability to supply the England striker, playing in a supporting role.

Dutch international striker Luuk De Jong would be the perfect option.

An intelligent forward, the FC Twente 21-year-old has become one of the most dominant strikers in Holland in the past few seasons, with 59 goals in 119 games for the Eredivisie club.

A 6'2" striker with speed, size and skill, De Jong has all the tools necessary to be a success in the Premier League.

Metro have linked De Jong to Anfield in a £12.5 million deal, something that could prove to be a bargain for Liverpool.

2. Fernando Llorente

Liverpool hit the woodwork 29 times in the Premier League this season, including off seven efforts from Luis Suarez and four from Andy Carroll. More than anything, the Reds need a natural finisher to play up front, to finish off the chances provided by the team's midfielders. 

Llorente, who has been top scorer at Bilbao for five straight seasons, scoring 113 total goals in 296 appearances over eight seasons with the Basque club, including 29 in 53 games this year, may be ready for a new challenge, and could find it at Merseyside.

Like Liverpool, Llorente's Athletic Bilbao qualified for the Europa League not because of league position but because of domestic cup success.

In fact, the Reds performed better in their respective league, offering something Brendan Rodgers could try to use as leverage to secure a deal for the giant striker.

He'd likely cost upwards of £25 million, but, next to Luis Suarez, Fernando Llorente would likely show himself to be worth every penny.

1. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

Many will argue that, with 48 goals in 47 games last season in one of the world's top leagues, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is becoming one of Europe's very best strikers.

The Dutch international, who plays for Schalke 04, is a pure finisher, excellent on-and-off the ball mover, and a very hard worker.

He would be an excellent spearhead for the Liverpool side.

Many consider Huntelaar to be an unrealistic option for the Reds. Schalke will be competing in the Champions League in 2012-13, while Reds players will be settling for the Europa League.

That said, Huntelaar might be tempted to come to Anfield to link up with former teammate Luis Suarez, whom he spent a season-and-a-half with at Ajax, and with the high wages Liverpool owners FSG will undoubtedly be willing to provide, Huntelaar could well be lured by a move to Merseyside.

There are no better options to solve the Reds goalscoring crisis than Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Follow @JacobWare95