Liverpool will turn to Southampton's versatile forward Jay Rodriguez is they lose Luis Suarez in January. According to the Sunday Mirror, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has identified the 24-year-old as a replacement in case controversial Uruguayan Suarez leaves Anfield. Suarez was the subject of a £40 million bid from Premier League rivals Arsenal over the summer an offer rebuffed by Liverpool. He is also consistently linked with a switch to La Liga giants Real Madrid. Rodriguez earned his first senior call-up to the England squad this week as Roy Hodgson included him in his squad to face Chile and Germany in Wembley friendly action. He is joined by club teammates Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert on the roster. Joining the Saints from Burnley for £7 million in the summer of 2012, Rodriguez is under contract at St Marys until 2016. Arsenal are also believed to be keeping tabs on him. The versatility of attacker Rodriguez he can play up front or out wide has attracted Rodgers. Under Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino, Southampton are in the chasing pack behind Premier League leaders Arsenal. Club chairman Nicola Cortese may now be anxious to tie Rodriguez down with a new deal on the South Coast.
Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.
