Mario Balotelli (23 , Milan)
I thought I would start off the list with a bang, and there is nobody in world football that sparks a fire or two whilst on the football pitch like Mario Balotelli. (And I am not just talking about his firework mishap whilst at City). The 23 year old has come under the spotlight of late, following rumours emerging of a possible exit from the Milan club this summer. I do not think anyone could blame the Italian at the present moment. AC Milan are a club in disarray, and following their disastrous pre season tour of the US, Mario is looking for an escape route, which has been brought to Rodgers' attention. The boss has been quoted saying he rates the forward very highly indeed, and that the 23 year old has all the traits to become a world class striker in the upcoming years, and to that, I agree massively. Putting to one side his bad habits and crazy moments on and off the pitch, Balotelli could emerge a real talent under Rodgers, if nurtured well. At just 23, it is pivotal the Italian kicks start his career, and with a 14.5 million pound price tag being brandished about, Rodgers, although coy about any speculation thus far, could find the enigma that is Mario Balotelli a huge bargain for the club.
Marco Reus (25 , Borussia Dortmund)
The German who has had every single red with high hopes and dreams. Now, could it prove to be false hope or could we be looking at Liverpool's future number 7 for the next 5-10 years? The 25 year old has been a faithful servant under Klopp and his Dortmund side, as he watched in disappointment as fellow team mates Mario Gotze and Lewandowski jumped ship to join rivals Bayern. Reus opted to stay, and his performances since have brought some of Europe's big guns to the forefront and ready for respective bidding wars for the star. Rodgers is one of Marco's most keen admirers, and has been heavily linked with the German international for weeks. The 25 year old's agent has recently quashed all rumours regarding an exit for his player, but if Rodgers comes calling with an improved offer, Dortmund might find it hard to say no. The capture of the pacey front man will definitely put out a massive marker on all other challenging Premier League teams this season, who will look at Liverpool as definite title contenders. Although a miss from this summer's World Cup, we have seen Reus do it week in, week out in the Bundesliga. 40 million pound release clause? I say pay it. You know what you are getting with Marco Reus, who is worth every penny. Liverpool may never replace Suarez, but a signing of this calibre does not go far off from doing so.
Karim Benzema (26 , Real Madrid)
Nothing major was expected of Karim Benzema at this summer's World Cup. Then again, not much was expected of France either. The reply us viewers received came as a shock to the majority. The 26 year old looked unplayable at times, netting three goals in the process and leading his French side to a quarter final place. (Which was much more than what was expected of them). Since the tournament in Brazil, Real Madrid have spent well, bringing in golden boy James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos to the Bernabeu. This has sparked rumours of an exit for Benzema, who may find his chances in Madrid's starting line up coming few and far between. Liverpool have been linked with the striker for months, with some rumours emerging of a deal being agreed between the two parties. I, personally, would not want the Frenchman anywhere near Liverpool, any time soon. His recent comments, calling Liverpool "Too small of a club for him to join", has left most Liverpool fans with a sour taste in their mouths regarding the 26 year old. There is no doubting Benzema's goalscoring prowess, something Liverpool need in abundance if they are to challenge for the title this season.
Wilfried Bony (25 , Swansea)
Moving on to a fellow Premier League player now, and on to Swansea's goal poaching powerhouse that is Wilfried Bony. The 25 year old moved to the Welsh team in the beginning of last season with no massive expectancy on him. Since then, he has showed exactly why Gary Monk has slapped a 25 million pound price tag on the Ivorian. Bony is a typical out and out centre forward, a goal poacher. Something Rodgers needs to add to his pacey squad, which includes the likes of Sterling, Markovic and Coutinho, amongst others. One of the only slight blips regarding Bony's capture if the price tag. 25 million for an unproven 25 year old is a might risk to take. We have all seen it previously with Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing. Good performers whilst at a lower level club, yet the big move proved a task too hard to handle. Wilfried Bony could easily end up with a similar story. Will Brendan risk it and flog out some more of his transfer kitty to bring in the Ivorian? Is what the boss witnessed last season enough to lure him into a move?
Ezequiel Lavezzi (29 , PSG)
'El Pocho', as he is most commonly known as, is more of a winger/striker than an out and out centre forward, but as the reds seem to be constantly linked with the Argentinian, I thought I might as well include him. I, personally, would have done anything to see Lavezzi strut his stuff in a red shirt whilst he was linked with the team back in 2012, whilst at Napoli. Now though, I am not too sure. As the front man nears ever so closer to the 30 year old milestone, and added to that the 18 million release clause as well, making a move may not be in Rodgers's present or future planning. El Pocho has had a reasonably positive time in the French capital so far, helping PSG to the Ligue 1 title last season. His experience would definitely aid Rodgers and his ever so youthful looking squad. Yes, he will be a strong addition to the team, but is he what all of reds fans have been hoping to see as Suarez's replacement. Some may argue the case, but I think I have made quite a strong one myself.
As August the 17th looms in the not too distant future, Liverpool fans around the world will all come together in the next month and ask the rhetorical question that is ; How will Liverpool cope without their Uruguayan talisman? We have seen it happen previously with Tottenham. They sold Gareth Bale, bought a couple of good signings in an attempt to try and replace their former star, and ended the season in 6th place. Now, I do not think Rodgers' men will endure quite the same season as Spurs have. Liverpool have bought better so far, in my opinion. That star centre forward, the number 7 to replace Luis, is still a mystery to us as of yet. There is no doubt Liverpool do need to take out their wallet once again and bring in a marquee striker. As to who the striker will be, remains to be seen. What Brendan Rodgers has brought to Liverpool Football Club since his arrival two years ago has been unbelievable, and that is exactly why me, a long with the majority of Liverpool fans, trust in whoever he decides to bring in before September.
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