Liverpool transfer news: Salomon Rondon and Carlos Bacca latest names considered as Reds look to bolster attacking options

Liverpool are no longer interested in Christian Benteke, who is too expensive

(Getty Images)

Liverpool continue to be linked with strikers as Brendan Rodgers seeks to bolster a front line that struggled last season.

Having already moved for Danny Ings, the Reds have this morning been linked with a move for Venezuela striker Salomon Rondon, who is currently in action at the Copa America.

The link follows from yesterday's news where the club were linked with Sevilla hitman Carlos Bacca and Juventus striker Fernando Llorente.

Liverpool are now being mentioned in the same breath as the various forwards because top target Christian Benteke has been deemed too expensive. The Belgian striker scored 12 goals in Aston Villa's final 13 games to help Tim Sherwood escape the drop last season.

But the Midlands club will only sell Benteke if a club activates his release clause - set at a hefty £32million; Liverpool apparently rate the striker at closer to £20m.

The Liverpool Echo report that Bacca and Rondon now represent the two most likely alternatives for Rodgers, with scouts in attendance at the tournament in Chile to check on their progress.

Venezuelan striker Salomon Rondon helped Zenit win the Russian league last season (Getty Images)

Colombian Bacca, 28, has been superb in Spain since moving from Club Brugge to Sevilla, scoring 49 goals in 106 games for the club and helping them to win the Europa League in successive seasons - he would cost around £20m.

Rondon, 25, would be slightly cheaper at about £15m. He has been at Zenit St Petersburg since January 2014, scoring 28 goals in 57 matches for Andre Villas-Boas' team and helping them to win the Russian Premier League last season.

Scouts at the tournament are also interested in Brazil forward Roberto Firmino, who has been linked with a move to bitter rivals Manchester United.