Liverpool linked with Southampton star to replace Suarez in January

Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez has been linked with a move to Liverpool in the next transfer window and could replace wantaway striker Luis Suarez at Anfield.

The Burnley native was called up to Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the upcoming internationals against Chile and Germany after playing a key part in third-placed Saints’ excellent start to the Premier League campaign.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has kept tabs on Rodriguez for a while and was linked with a summer move for the 24-year-old when Suarez looked likely to leave Merseyside.

A brace against Fulham drew the Uruguayan level with Liverpool teammate Daniel Sturridge and Man City’s Sergio Aguero at the top of the top-flight’s scoring charts, with eight goals in just six Premier League games claimed by the 26-year-old since coming back from a 10-match suspension.

Considering his incredible strike-rate it is little wonder Suarez is the 7/4 favourite to finish the season as the Premier League’s top goalscorer, but rumours about his future at Anfield persist and a move to Real Madrid is thought to be a distinct possibility in January.

Arsenal could also revive their interest in the 71-cap international after botching an attempt to sign him over the summer, but Suarez stated in May that he wished to leave England because of difficulties with the press and the Bernabeu is still his most likely destination.

Despite charging up to second place in the Premier League – just two points behind the league-leading Gunners – Liverpool’s squad is tissue-paper thin and there’s little backup on the bench should their red-hot strikeforce lose its potency through injury or loss of form.

Rodgers certainly can’t afford to sell Suarez without bringing in an adequate replacement if Liverpool are serious about defying odds of evens to finish in the top four this season.        

Rodriguez may not yet be at the former Ajax man’s level, but he is similar to Suarez in that he can play as a wing-forward in a 4-2-3-1 formation or as part of a two-man attack.

At hometown club Burnley, the Saints star rose through the youth ranks and made his Championship debut in December 2007 against Bristol City.