John Aldridge: Signing quality striker should be number one agenda for Liverpool this summer

John Aldridge has urged Brendan Rodgers to make signing a goal-scoring striker a priority to either play alongside Daniel Sturridge or replace him next season.

The England international has struggled with injuries since the start of the season, which has seen a dip in his form. In his absence, Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini have all struggled to impress.

The former Reds striker had earlier suggested that a move in signing Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke could solve their striker woes. Aldridge has reiterated his desire to sign a top quality striker in the summer.

The 56-year-old former Republic of Ireland international fears failing to make the right additions in the attacking division could make Liverpool's problem worse for the next season.

"There's a lot to sort out at Anfield in the summer, but that should be item number one on the agenda; firepower, firepower, firepower," Aldridge told the Liverpool Echo.

"It's been a problem all season. We lost Daniel Sturridge in August, and we just couldn't replace him. The manager doesn't fancy Balotelli, Borini or Rickie Lambert, and we just haven't had that reliable goalscorer as a result."

"I'm sure I wasn't alone in watching Luis Suarez tear David Luiz and Paris St Germain last week and feeling sick to the stomach. We had him last season."

"You'll never get another like him, but you have to try, try, try to find one, to get someone in who can have an impact. We've got a promising kid in Divock Origi coming in next season, but we simply have to go out and get another striker who can score goals, whether it's alongside Sturridge or instead of him."

"Christian Benteke might be that man, I don't know. I like him, and have done for a few seasons, but we have to fill that gap, because it will cost us big time if we don't. Raheem Sterling led the line in the first half yesterday, but he can't be asked to shoulder that burden," he concluded.

Liverpool were knocked out from the FA Cup by Villa, as they latter sealed a 2-1 victory in the semi final. Rodgers is still waiting for his first piece of silverware and his wait was just extended to one more year following their latest elimination from the FA Cup.