Liverpool has often been the home to countless talents who have captured the hearts of the fanbase, but very few have reached the level of Luis Suárez.
The Uruguayan arrived from Ajax back in the winter window of 2011, with the majority of supporters unaware of the talent he possessed within attacking areas.
He quickly demonstrated his quality on Merseyside, subsequently registering 82 goals in his 133 appearances during his three-and-a-half years at the club.
Suarez-Sturridge-Liverpool
Suarez and Sturridge
From multiple hat-tricks against Norwich City to numerous Merseyside Derby goals, the striker had it all, going down as one of the best forwards to ever play for the club.
But how have the Reds managed to replace the 39-year-old in the 12 years since his subsequent move to Spanish giants Barcelona?
How Liverpool's forward line has developed since Suarez's departure
It's no secret that Liverpool have splashed the cash in the transfer market to improve the forward line in recent years in an attempt to land their next version of Suarez.
Rickie Lambert, Divock Origi and Mario Balotelli were all signed in the summer of 2014 to soften the blow of the Uruguayan’s departure - with only one of the additions making a lasting impact at Anfield.
Divock Origi scores in the Champions League final
Divock Origi scores in the Champions League final
Origi was part of the iconic Reds side which won the Champions League back in 2018/19, even scoring the second during the 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Huge money was also spent for the three years after Suarez’s move to Spain, but the £96m spent on three players will go down as some of the club’s best-ever business.
The iconic trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané will also live long in the memory of all supporters - arguably going down as the division’s best-ever attacking units.
Liverpool's highest all-time PL goalscorers
Player
Mohamed Salah
Robbie Fowler
Steven Gerrard
Michael Owen
Sadio Mane
Roberto Firmino
Luis Suarez
Fernando Torres
They netted a staggering 488 goals between them throughout their respective times on Merseyside, which led to multiple Premier League titles under Jürgen Klopp.
After the Egyptian’s departure earlier this summer, none of the aforementioned talents remains on the books at Anfield, which has left Andoni Iraola with the task of landing his own attacking talents.
How Iraola can land his own Suarez at Liverpool this summer
Despite Salah’s departure, Iraola will be able to call upon top-level attacking talents at Liverpool next term, with Alexander Isak and Rio Ngumoha just two players who could thrive under his guidance.
Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates scoring their first goal
Hugo Ekitike will remain sidelined until the new year after his Achilles injury in April, but his return will feel as though the French talisman is a new signing for the Spaniard.
However, he could be joined by compatriot Bradley Barcola at Anfield next term, as the hierarchy start to ramp up their interest in the young PSG attacker.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has provided the latest on the move over on his YouTube, stating: “Liverpool want Barcola, Liverpool have Barcola as a top priority.
“Barcola wants to go to Liverpool and loves the project and is very tempted by the chance to play for Liverpool - so there is no doubts personal terms will be agreed.“
The 23-year-old has been one of the Reds’ key targets over recent months, and it appears as though a deal for his signature is finally edging in the right direction.
A fee over the £100m mark has been mooted for the Frenchman’s signature, but would the Reds be getting value for money at such a price point?
His stats from the recent campaign in Ligue 1 highlight his quality, which could see him emulate Suarez in becoming world-class after a successful stint at Liverpool.
The left-winger created a staggering tally of 2.1 chances in Ligue 1 last term, with 0.6 of his chances being defined as big chances within attacking areas.
Barcola-France-World-Cup
Both of the aforementioned figures place him in the top 10% of all attackers in Europe’s top-five leagues - demonstrating why he could follow in Suarez’s footsteps in succeeding on Merseyside.
The PSG star also managed to complete 86% of the passes he attempted in France’s top-division, with 5.7 of his efforts per 90 being made into the final third of the pitch.
PSG winger Bradley Barcola
Such numbers allowed the youngster to end the recent campaign with eight assists across all competitions - alongside his tally of 13 goals, which could see him emulate Suarez’s clinical nature.
He even carried his tremendous form into the recent World Cup in the United States, subsequently registering three goals and an assist as France made it to the semi-final stage.
The Uruguayan star is proof that players can reach the next level in their development on Merseyside, with Barcola hoping to emulate his success upon any move.
Spending over £100m on another attacking star would be a huge statement of intent from FSG, but it’s one that could set the Reds up for future success in the years ahead.
His desire to join the Reds this summer will only aid their transfer efforts, and help Iraola have a world-class operator within his senior ranks throughout 2026/27.
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