Liverpool Transfer News: Ex-Red Phil Thompson Fuels Striker Raid Rumours

Attacking reinforcements should be a priority at Anfield this summer, according to Liverpool legend Phil Thompson, who has identified Gonzalo Higuain, Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi as prime candidates to join his old club.

The South American trio are each under very different circumstances at Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain, but Sky Sports' Thompson believes Brendan Rodgers needs another elite name up top:

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Sturridge’s latest injury confirms that you cannot rely on him throughout the course of a season and Liverpool need suitable cover for him. 

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Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Edinson Cavani or somebody of that ilk is required, which means Liverpool are going to have to spend big to be considered title contenders next season.

There will be quite a few offloaded and Rodgers might have a bit of a clear out. I think it will be very difficult for Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini to remain and, whether the club want to move them on or not, I think they’re going to want to seek pastures new.

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It's true the Reds have looked short of ideas for stretches while Sturridge has been sidelined, relying on the likes of Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard for goals on clutch occasions.

Higuain, currently playing under former Reds chief Rafa Benitez in Naples, is already being surveyed by the Merseysiders, according to Italian journalist Marco Giordano (h/t Goal):

The Argentina international may be considered the most difficult target of Thompson's aforementioned trio, given that he remains a highly valued member of the Napoli squad and has a deal lasting until 2018.

The forward's father, Jorge Higuain, does hint there is doubt regarding his place with the Azzurri, however, telling Naples media outlet Cronache di Napoli (h/t Football Italia):

"I can’t talk much right now and it’s not the time to face this question. I will be in Italy in a month’s time and we will have the opportunity to discuss his position."

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The 27-year-old has bagged 13 goals in 27 Serie A appearances this season, but the idea of contending with Sturridge for a priority place in Rodgers' attack may not appear all that appealing.

The same might be said for PSG's Cavani, who has had to make do with playing second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the French capital.

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The Uruguayan sticks out as the most expensive target, but is still striving to claw his way back into best form after being fielded largely out wide during his time under Laurent Blanc.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson agrees that Cavani looks like one of PSG's available players this summer, although Liverpool may not be willing to spend the funds that are likely necessary to his purchase:

Even with his positional woes, Cavani has managed to record 18 goals across all competitions this term, including six in eight Champions League outings, but it's far from the prolific numbers he once notched with Palermo and Napoli.

If Rodgers' side were to shell out big money in a surge on Cavani, he would undoubtedly seek assurances over a spot as the jewel in attack, with Sturridge possibly shifting to accommodate.

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Another potential PSG exit this summer is Lavezzi, whose time at Parc des Princes appears to be winding down, according to Johnson:

The Argentinian has managed 15 Ligue 1 starts this season, but a record of four goals and one assist, per WhoScored, makes Lavezzi less desirable.

The 29-year-old would offer seasoned cover on the flanks, but the wages likely to be involved with bringing the player to Anfield may be better off devoted to other causes. FourFourTwo's Adam Digby questions the forward's international credentials:

Lavezzi has been linked with a switch to Merseyside for over a year now, but Liverpool may also be concerned with the player's discipline after he missed PSG's winter training camp in January.

With the likes of Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic already striving to impress out wide under Rodgers, the Reds may look to promote from within before splashing heavily on the former Napoli ace.

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Since returning to Blanc's squad in the new year, Lavezzi has featured more prominently for the Ligue 1 leaders, perhaps as a marketing ploy to boost his price tag in the buildup to this summer's window.

Many Liverpool fans may be happy to get their hands on any of the three mentioned candidates, but Rodgers' options may be limited until the club can see what personnel they're able to offload first.