Liverpool Set to Lock Horns with Dortmund for South American Forward - Report

Liverpool are reportedly planning to provide competition to Borussia Dortmund in the race for Rubin Kazan forward Salomon Rondon.

Brendan Rodgers will look to add a striker to his ranks, if Luis Suarez - who has repeatedly stated his desire to leave Anfield, is sold this summer. Arsenal have been hot on the heels of the Uruguayan, while Real Madrid could revive their interest in the player, if they fail to land top target Gareth Bale.

Liverpool are determined to keep hold of Suarez but, according to the Marca, the Merseyside outfit are now considering an approach for Rondon, in case they lose their talismanic forward. The Reds will, however, face some tough competition for the Venezuela international's services, with Dortmund remaining keen on him.

The Germans are set to lose top asset Robert Lewandowski to archrivals Bayern Munich next summer. The report claims the Borussians have now earmarked Rondon as an ideal replacement for the Pole and have already made an enquiry to Rubin regarding the 23-year-old's situation.

The Russian giants are understood to be open to selling the forward but are determined to recoup at least the €10m [£8.7m] they paid to sign him from Malaga last summer. Rondon had scored 13 goals from 37 appearances in all competitions for Rubin last season.

The Express reports Rodgers has also been looking at Udinese forward Luis Muriel as he looks make attacking reinforcements, if Suarez is sold.

Meanwhile, former Liverpool winger John Barnes believes the club should not try to keep hold of Luis Suarez, if he is unhappy.

"We've seen in the past when transfers go down to the last minute that it doesn't help anybody, especially for a club like Liverpool who, if they lose Suarez, would have to find a big-name replacement," the Reds legend said.

"I'd like it to be done sooner rather than later because if it goes down to the last day, and you then have to go and get somebody, it's not ideal. As far as Suarez is concerned, if he's not going to be happy, then he has to go," Barnes added.