Mark Lawrenson: Suarez Could Be Replaced By Multiple Strikers

Mark Lawrenson believes Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will be forced into signing several players to replace Luis Suarez with finding a like-for-like replacement for the Uruguayan forward likely to prove difficult.

The Reds announced yesterday that a deal has been agreed in principal for Celta Vigo star Iago Aspas, showing Rodgers is well aware of the need to bolster his forward line-up this summer.

Suarez's future is still uncertain, with discussions likely to take place when he arrives back in England after international duty with Uruguay. But Lawrenson believes that Liverpool need to think about how they will replace him, and will likely be going for multiple signings rather than one big name.

"Look across the leagues, and it's difficult to see who they could bring in," he said in the Liverpool Daily Post. "And I guess that's where the scouting team will earn their wage.

"It was different when Suarez signed. While nobody doubted his talents, he was damaged goods after his previous biting scandal in Holland and that made it easier to bring him to Anfield.

"More likely is that Brendan Rodgers will bring in a couple of players who can play anywhere along the front three, his preferred choice of formation."

After sealing a deal for Aspas, Lawrenson has hinted that a move might be in the offing for another attacking player, but insisted that strikers need to be Rodgers' priority this summer should Suarez depart.

He explained: "There's been talk of interest in Armenian attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Shakhtar Donetsk, but I'd want a striker before anything else if Suarez is on his way."

Suarez has spoken out twice now about his desire to leave Liverpool in the summer, but it appears that no concrete offer has been made by any club for the man with a reported exit clause of around £40m.