Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge believes that it is a lack of potency in front of goal that is costing the club the chance to compete at the very top of the league.

Liverpool were once again accused of wasting opportunities as they fell to a surprise 3-0 loss against West Brom at the Hawthornes on Saturday and Aldridge is convinced that some new signings would help remedy the problem.

The 53-year-old, who won the league and the FA Cup with Liverpool, believes that manager Brendan Rodgers should attempt to sign Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey and Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge before the transfer window closes.

Clint Dempsey
Aldridge believes Liverpool should sign Dempsey [Reuters]

"The transfer window is still open, of course, and if I was Brendan I would be looking at at least two new signings in the forward areas. I like Clint Dempsey at Fulham, even though I know a few people who don't," Aldridge wrote in his column in the Liverpool Echo.

"He's a clever player, who scores goals, and he wouldn't cost the earth either, even if age isn't on his side.

"Then, assuming Suarez is to play through the middle, you're looking at a player who can play wide and grab goals. Adam Johnson is a possibility, but I'd be looking at Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea.

"He's the kind of player who could make a difference, the kind of player Liverpool need. He has skill, technical ability and an eye for goal. And if he isn't playing at Chelsea, he might welcome the chance to play up here."

Dempsey is hoping to leave Fulham before the end of the month and has annoyed his manager Martin Jol after refusing to play in the first game of the season against Norwich.

Liverpool have often been linked with the American attacking midfielder this summer and his record of 17 Premier League goals last term would certainly improve Rodgers' options.

Sturridge has seen a number of attacking players arrive at Chelsea over the summer and he was left on the bench against Wigan on Sunday.

Aldridge also feels as though Liverpool are lacking a striker who is capable of troubling the top-scorer list at the end of the season. He feels Luis Suarez will never be able to match former Liverpool greats Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler who consistently scored more than 20 goals in a season.

"Luis Suarez had three or four real good chances, and didn't make West Brom pay. That is a problem, and has been for too long," added Aldridge.

"I sat in the house and watched Michael Owen on Goals on Sunday, talking about his career. The clips they showed of him in his Liverpool days were frightening, they had me rolling back the years.

"The lad, for all that's been said about him, was a clinical finisher, a true goalscorer who took chance after chance in front of goal, much like Robbie Fowler before him.

"At the moment, Liverpool don't have that kind of player."