Liverpool went down 1-0 at Hull on Tuesday night and failed to find the net for the second game in a row.

The Reds have scored 47 goals this campaign, only slightly more than half of their grand total of 90 this time last year.

Back then, the SAS partnership of Suarez and Sturridge was propelling the club up the table. Now, with Suarez gone and Sturridge an almost permanent fixture in the club’s treatment room, Brendan Rodgers has lamented the loss of this firepower.

The Anfield boss has strongly hinted that his current forwards are not up to the task. With Sturridge out, the coach has preferred Mario Balotelli, who is widely expected to leave the club in the summer following a difficult and goal-shy spell.

Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini have become forgotten men. Their sparse use suggesting a lack of trust in them to do the business.

Meanwhile out on loan to Lille, youngster Divock Origi has done little to suggest he could be the answer next term.

Here, though, are three men who just might be...

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Christian Benteke

benteke

After toiling desperately for goals for much of the campaign the Belgian has enjoyed a revival at Villa since Tim Sherwood revitalised the side and reopened the supply lines to his main forward.

Benteke has been in red-hot form over the last few months and seems to have dispelled any doubts that he might not return the same player after a lengthy injury lay-off.

The 24-year-old has constantly been linked with a move to a bigger Premier League club and he may just feel that now is the right time.

His contract expires in 2017 so it would make sense for Villa to cash in when they can still command a decent fee.

The player has handed in a transfer request in the past but even if everything falls into place for him to leave Villa Park, Liverpool will not be the only suitors. Benteke’s pace and power look well suited to spearhead the Anfield attack but Rodgers would need to work hard to get his man.

Alexandre Lacazette

Lacazette

Despite being slightly younger than Benteke and untested in the Premier League, Lacazette would likely be an even more expensive acquisition. This is due to the French forward’s scintillating form this season.

The 23-year-old made his debut in 2010 and has made steady under-the-radar progress before exploding into life this term.

The Lyon man has romped away with the Ligue 1 goalscorer’s competition, netting 26 times in the French top flight.

There is no guarantee this form could be translated to the Premier League but the player is likely to want to test himself outside of France before long.

He has all the attributes to fit into Liverpool’s attacking pass-and-move style but is likely to be a priority target for Europe’s big clubs.

His own side, Lyon, are also heading into next season’s Champions League, something that looks unlikely for Brendan Rodgers’ men.

Charlie Austin

Austin

Regardless of whether QPR mange to survive in the Premier League for another season, it is widely believed that Charlie Austin should be moving on this summer.

Rangers would be already dead and buried were it not for his 17 league goals this term.

The 25-year-old must be wondering how many goals he would have scored in the English top flight this season had he been playing at a club at the other end of the table.

The former Burnley man is likely to represent a slightly cheaper alternative to Benteke or Lacazette but would still require a significant outlay.

Austin is a pure goalscorer who operates on instinct and nets all kinds of goals.

While his statistics would indicate he is the answer, other aspects of his play suggest he may not be right to lead the Liverpool attack.

Rodgers might prefer a faster forward more accustomed to his fluid attacking system.