Luis Suarez Suspension: 8-Match Ban Kills Liverpool's Hopes of Contention

Luis Suarez's eight-match ban for being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United left back Patrice Evra will destroy Liverpool's chances of finishing in the top four of the Premier League table and securing Champions League qualification for next season.

According to the Daily Mail, Suarez will be fined £40,000 in addition to receiving his eight-match ban.

The alleged abuse took place at Anfield on October 15 versus United in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw. Suarez denied the allegations from Evra, but he was ultimately found guilty.

What does this mean for Liverpool's chances of competing for trophies this season?

Well, it is a devastating blow that will cripple the club's ability to score goals unless significant help is brought to Anfield through the January transfer window.

The Reds have not scored more than two goals in a match during all competitions since August 27, and have drawn and lost several matches this season because of their inability to score enough goals.

Suarez leads the club with five goals in the Premier League, more than twice as many as the next highest scorer, and his 73 shots are more than double the next closest player in that category.

Simply put, Suarez is the Reds attack, and without him, the club will not be hard to defend. The Uruguay international is the only player that opposing side's fear in the final third of the pitch for Liverpool, and there just isn't anyone else who can step up and supply the club with much-needed goal scoring.

Andy Carroll has been a massive disappointment since being brought in for £35 million last January, and although Suarez's absence could give him more time to prove he belongs in the starting XI on a regular basis, nothing the Englishman has shown thus far would suggest he is capable of doing that.

The only option for Liverpool is to bring a big name attacking talent into Anfield during next month's transfer window, but that will be difficult.

High-profile players will not likely want to come to a club where Champions League football is no guarantee, and to a club where no trophies will likely be won this season.

Without Suarez, Liverpool will struggle mightily to score goals, and by the time he returns from his eight-match ban, the club will be out of the running for a top-four finish in the league table.

Suarez's actions have cost his club dearly, and hopefully, he can learn from this experience.