Liverpool have thrown the net to find a replacement for striker Luis Suarez who is set to serve an eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.

With Suarez facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines and Andy Carroll yet to discover his best form for Liverpool, it seems the club could yet dip into the transfer market in January.

Liverpool’s Suarez banned for obscene gesture

Manager Kenny Dalglish has shown a strong preference for Colombian striker Teo Gutierrez who plies his trade in Argentina's Racing Club.

Liverpool are reportedly showing an interest in Holland international Klaas Jan Huntelaar just days after the prolific forward distanced himself from a move to Manchester United.

Huntelaar has scored 15 goals in 16 league appearances this season and seems to have rediscovered the form that saw him move from Ajax to Real Madrid back in 2009.

The striker had been linked with a possible move to Old Trafford in the January transfer window, but Huntelaar made it clear that he was unaware of any interest from the Premier League champions.

"I know nothing of alleged interest from Manchester United. I will not even speculate, I am concentrating fully on Schalke," revealed Huntelaar.

"I'll let any offers come to me quietly and will then see what happens. This is the attitude I’ve always had. My contract runs until the summer of 2013. If they (Schalke) want to talk, I'll gladly listen.”

Reports have suggested that Schalke would demand as much as £15 million for the 28-year-old who would certainly bring a superb record with him to the Premier League.

Gutierrez has been made available by his club - but only if his £8m valuation is met.

The Racing Club de Avellaneda forward has been attracting the attention of a number of clubs across Europe.

The 26-year-old has his six goals in 15 appearances in Argentina's top-flight this season and has now reached 15 caps for his native Colombia.

The striker was prolific in his early career in South America and earned a move to Turkish side Trabzonspor in January 2010.

Racing Club vice-president Rodolfo Molina told Argentinean paper Ole: "There is no formal proposals for Teo Gutierrez, just words but no realities.

"When we receive an actual proposal we will study the numbers hard. The club does not reject the sale, but we will only negotiate on his real value."

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