Liverpool Transfer News: 5 Players Who Could Potentially Replace Luis Suarez

Liverpool transfer news has been dominating the headlines more than usual ever since Luis Suarez made it clear that he wanted to leave the Merseyside club this past summer.

While manager Brendan Rodgers managed to defuse the situation and keep the Uruguayan at Anfield this season, rumours have again begun to surface that Real Madrid are eager to acquire the services of Suarez.

Underneath the web of Liverpool's public relations machine, it's thought that Suarez is keen to move to a club that can guarantee him annual Champions League football. Real Madrid, of course, satisfy that criteria.

The question then becomes, who is capable of filling the void if Suarez were to leave Liverpool during the upcoming January transfer window?

Perhaps the obvious answer is that no one is capable of filling the void. At least no one realistically available to Liverpool, a club that failed to qualify for any form of European competition this season.

The following five players are seemingly realistic options for Brendan Rodgers and the Liverpool board. Some have already been rumoured to be interested in a move to Anfield, while others could potentially be persuaded into such a switch.

Whatever the case, if Suarez were to leave for Champions League football, his replacement has a tough job on his hands trying to fill his boots.

Konstantinos Mitroglou

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Mitroglou has been in devastating form for Olympiakos in Superleague Greece this season, netting six goals in five games. In all competitions this year, his scoring record is 12 goals in nine games.

Remarkably, those goals have come in the form of four hat-tricks—including one against R.S.C. Anderlecht in the Champions League.

That kind of form is enough to warrant attention from anyone and enough to dream that Mitroglou could well be an apt replacement for Luis Suarez.

Reports suggests that Mitroglou could be available for around £7 million (per Express.co.uk), with Liverpool already having registered interest in the player. 

However, Brendan Rodgers is likely to face a fight to bring the German-born player to Anfield, with Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan also thought to be keen.

Leandro Damiao

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It seems as though Liverpool transfer news has included the possibility of signing Internacional and Brazil striker Leandro Damaio for years.

Interest has ramped up significantly in the wake of Luis Suarez trying to force a move out of Anfield this past summer.

Damaio has made no secret of the fact that he wants to play in Europe at some point in the near future, although the smart thinking is that he would only give serious thought to a Champions League side.

If Liverpool can continue their terrific league form going into the January transfer window in just over two months, Damaio could well be tempted by the potential of Champions League football starting next season.

Whatever the case, Liverpool will need to act quickly to secure his services. Tottenham are long-time admirers of Damaio, with the London club already having beaten Liverpool to the signatures of Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela earlier this year.

Rodri

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Rodri is hardly the most famous striker in Europe, but the Spaniard has been netting the goals this season without too much fanfare. 

With five goals in eight La Liga games, only the star trio of Diego Costa, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have outscored him in the league. 

On loan at Almeria this season, Rodri began his career as part of the Sevilla youth system in 2007. In 2011, he moved to Catalunya to sign a four-year contract with Barcelona B. 

Since 2012, Rodri has been on loan at three different clubs, but he now seems to be coming to maturity in the top division of Spanish football with newly-promoted Almeria.

At just 23, Rodri would fit the youthful squad being assembled at Liverpool and, no matter what, is one to look out for in future.

Michu

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Things only seem to be getting better and better for Michu.

Signed by Swansea for a mere £2 million prior to the start of the 2012/13 season, the Spanish striker netted 22 goals in his first term in the Premier League.

Earlier this week Michu earned his first cap for Spain in a 2-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Belarus, putting him in contention for a place in the world and European champions' Brazil 2014 squad. 

Such impressive achievements have led to interest from the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal, with both clubs thought to be prepared to table bids of around £20 million. 

Michu has recently moved to dismiss any speculation surrounding his future at Swansea, however.

Asked by Spanish newspaper Marca (via The Independent) whether he is thinking about a move to a bigger club, Michu responded, saying: "I am not thinking about that at the moment."

He added: "I am enjoying myself very much at Swansea."

Lacina Traore

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Liverpool failed to sign Anzhi Makhachkala striker Lacina Traore during the January transfer window last season (per Metro.co.uk), but all signs point to the 6'8" Ivorian being available this winter.

Traore is highly thought of in Italy, but a move to Serie A looks unlikely given the current financial situation the league finds itself in. 

With 13 goals in 28 appearances for Anzhi—and four in six for the Ivory Coast—Traore's goals-to-game ratio is good enough to warrant attention from Liverpool.

If Brendan Rodgers does decide to reignite his interest in the striker, it could lead to a significant side of tactics for Liverpool, with Traore providing a very different skillset to that of Luis Suarez.

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