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Brendan Rodgers’ mission to overhaul Liverpool’s striking options remains a work in progress with a month to go before the new Premier League season begins. 

The Reds have yet to secure the proven top class marksman which was a burning priority after the previous campaign was derailed by a desperate lack of firepower. 

And Liverpool have so far been unable to off-load those frontmen on the fringes who are surplus to requirements at Anfield.  There is much to be done before the big kick-off on August 9. 

Christian Benteke

Rodgers is a big admirer of the Aston Villa striker, who scored 15 goals last term, and believes he would be the perfect addition to their attacking armoury. 

However, Liverpool are unwilling to pay the £32.5million release clause in his contract and Villa are adamant they won’t budge over the fee. 

The Belgium international is expected to hold talks with Tim Sherwood on Wednesday and reiterate his desire to seek a new challenge.  Benteke has two years remaining on his current deal and has no intention of signing a new one. 

The question is ‘who will blink first’?  Will Liverpool pay what it takes to get the deal done or will Villa cave in to the player’s demands and negotiate? 

If neither happens soon then the danger is that the saga drags on for weeks and other suitable alternative targets get snapped up by rival clubs. 

Danny Ings

The 22-year-old striker will report for duty at Melwood on Wednesday after deciding to cut short his holiday following his commitments with England Under-21s at the European Championships in the Czech Republic. 

Ings signed for the Reds following the end of his contract at Burnley.  His 11 Premier League goals for the relegated Clarets earned him a dream move to Anfield. 

As he’s under 24, Liverpool have to pay compensation for Ings but they have been unable to agree a fee with Burnley.  The Reds are prepared to pay £6million but Burnley want nearly double that.  As a result the amount is expected to be determined by a Premier League tribunal. 

Divock Origi

The young Belgian frontman has finally started his Liverpool career – a year after sealing a £10million move from Lille.  The French outfit would only agree to the deal on the promise that Origi remained with them on a season-long loan.  It proved to be a difficult period for him but he ended the campaign with eight goals in 33 league games. 

Now the 20-year-old is ready to make an impression during pre-season and stake a claim for a spot in Rodgers’ side. 

Daniel Sturridge

The England international will miss the start of the season as he continues his rehab following surgery on his hip.  Sturridge has spent much of the summer in Boston as he receives treatment from staff at the Red Sox.  Liverpool are confident they have finally got to the bottom of his injury woes after he was restricted to just seven league starts last term. 

If everything goes to plan he could make his comeback in September.  Rodgers is banking on a four-strong attack of Sturridge, Benteke, Origi and Ings to fire Liverpool back into the Champions League. 

Mario Balotelli

The Italian striker is currently on compassionate leave following the death of his adoptive father Francesco at the weekend. 

However, Balotelli is expected to return to Melwood in time for the pre-season tour.  Liverpool fly off to Bangkok on Sunday. 

The £16million signing from AC Milan last summer scored just one Premier League goal during his first season with the Reds and has no future at Anfield. 

Finding him a new club won’t be easy with Balotelli earning £100,000 per week.  Liverpool would rather sell but may have to accept a loan move just to get him off the books. 

Rickie Lambert

The 33-year-old still has a year remaining on his contract but is set to move on in search of more regular action.  Liverpool accepted a bid of £5million from Villa for Lambert back in January but the striker opted to stay put and fight for a place.  It didn’t work out with Lambert starting just two league games between January and May.

He has attracted interest from the likes of West Brom and Bournemouth in recent weeks but they have yet to follow up their interest.  As it stands he will be going on the tour but his days at his boyhood club seem numbered. 

Fabio Borini

Liverpool have distanced themselves from reports that they have agreed a £8million deal with Lazio for the Italian striker.  However, there is no doubt that the Reds would dearly love to off-load the 24-year-old. 

Borini was told by Rodgers last summer that he needed to leave but he ignored that advice and snubbed moves to both Sunderland and QPR.  He ended up making just five starts in all competitions for the Reds all season and didn’t even make the bench in the final month of the campaign. 

Still has two years remaining on the contract he penned following his £10.5million arrival from Roma in 2012.