Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has reportedly identified Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez as an ideal long-term replacement for Luis Suarez.
Rodriguez, 24, has been deployed as a winger by the Saints this season, but he is also able to play as a central striker, having done so at Burnley, for whom he scored 21 goals in the 2011-12 campaign.
Suarez threatened to hand in an official transfer request at Anfield in August and, although he eventually stayed, the Uruguayan's future on Merseyside is far from certain.
According to The Mirror, the Reds made enquiries over Rodriguez in the summer and Rodgers is likely to contact the Saints again if Suarez eventually leaves.
Rodriguez, who is currently uncapped at senior international level, has been named in Roy Hodgson's England squad for this month's friendlies against Chile and Germany.
Written by
Robert Summerscales
Robert Summerscales
