'Liverpool need a new Suarez whatever the cost' - Klopp urged to spend by Aldridge

Jurgen Klopp has been urged to spend “whatever it costs” to bring a striker of Luis Suarez’s ilk to Liverpool by former Reds forward John Aldridge.

The Reds came agonisingly close to landing the Premier League title when Suarez was on their books, with the Uruguayan breaking the 30-goal barrier in his final two seasons with the club.

Those exploits earned him a big-money move to Barcelona, where the goals have continued to flow at a remarkable rate.

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He has, however, left a void at Anfield which has never been properly filled, with Liverpool now needing to splash the cash in order to a find a player capable of matching the influence of a Suarez, Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane or Diego Costa.

Aldridge wrote in a column for the Liverpool Echo: “That is the reason we're struggling to get over the line. Those players get you something when you need it, they get on the end of a cross, something out of nothing, like Luis Suarez used to do for us

“We haven't got a player who can do that at the minute. [Daniel] Sturridge came on and nearly did it, we know he's got that in his locker when he's fit to play.

“It hasn't happened for [Divock] Origi though he seems to have every attribute. He's quick, he's strong, he should be better in the air. He's not progressed from last year when he was playing the best football of his career before that injury against Everton.

“He's still young but he's got to show more, be a threat.

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“More than anyone else we need a striker in the summer with a big presence who can hold the ball up and attack crosses, by a million miles, whatever it costs.”

Liverpool have netted 71 times in the Premier League this season, with only table-topping Chelsea bettering that return.

Goals have, however, been spread throughout the side, with Sadio Mane leading the way on 13 while Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Origi have reached double figures across all competitions.