No matter which way you look at it, Liverpool now have a gaping hole in their forward line. Steven Gerrard faces at least three weeks on the sidelines after limping out of the FA Cup loss to Everton, and Robbie Keane has been sold back to Tottenham Hotspur for a fraction of the original price paid.
So who in Rafael Benitez's squad is capable of making their absences not so harshly felt? Who can take residency in the space behind Fernando Torres? Let us examine the candidates...
Dirk Kuyt (Holland, 28, right midfield/centre-forward)
This Dutch import is perhaps the hardest-working player in the Premier League. Since cementing a spot on the right side of the Reds' midfield - or attack, depending on the setup - the former Feyenoord forward has established himself as one of Rafa's untouchables. But is he able to do the job up front these days?
Kuyt is often regarded as a permanent stop-gap, strange as that term may seem; not quite a winger, but nor either a particularly threatening presence in front of the sticks. Pundits recall his introduction to English football as a failure, which only proves what short memories some people have.
In fact, the Oranje regular netted 14 goals during his first season on Merseyside, in what was generally a disappointing campaign for the club (other than a Champions League final appearance, in which this particular player scored Liverpool's only goal). He came from the Eredivisie as a goalscorer of some repute, and showed plenty of promise early doors, despite his obvious lack of pace. However, an abysmal start to his second term at Anfield saw fans screaming for him to be traded - again, a demonstration of how fickle the footballing community can be.
He has since become an integral part of Benitez's first XI, providing unmatchable endeavour on the flank. But Kuyt isn't all about donkey work; he still knows how to play a bit of football, too, and find the net. He pops up with crucial goals just when his side needs them, such as his strikes against Arsenal and Chelsea in the CL last season, and his winners against Manchester City and Wigan Athletic this term.
Ryan Babel (Holland, 22, winger/striker)
This youngster makes up the rest of Liverpool's first-team Dutch contingent. Signed in 2007 from Ajax, there were high hopes after his impressive displays at the European Under-21 Championship. However, things have not gone quite as planned.
Babel has suffered the same fate that many promising strikers, including his previously mentioned compatriot, have suffered: he has been stuck on the wing. But while Kuyt has flourished in this role, his more inexperienced countryman has struggled to adjust. Moreover, he hasn't been given a proper chance.
Unfortunately, this highly talented forward has become known as something of a 'super-sub', coming on late in games to run tired defences ragged with his blistering pace and natural goalscoring ability. Starting opportunities have been rare, especially since the arrival of Spanish winger Albert Riera last summer.
It is the view of many Kopites that Babel would prosper if given an extended run as a striker. The great Marco van Basten once compared him to Thierry Henry, and the similarities are certainly there for all to see: the dribbling ability, the wicked speed, the powerful shot and the pure, raw, undeniable talent. Will Rafa give him that chance to fulfil his potential? We'll see.
Yossi Benayoun (Israel, 28, attacking midfielder/winger)
Benayoun is another who has received precious few first-team opportunities at Liverpool. A cultured player who possesses arguably the best ball-control of anyone at Anfield, his slight frame and lack of genuine pace have counted against him when it comes to Rafa's team selection. He is another who has suffered from Riera's presence and Kuyt's wide-right revival.
Still, the former West Ham United man has proved a more than handy option. He bagged 11 goals during his first season in the North West - an impressive total for a player regarded more for his prompting than his finishing.
Many overlook this guy's past when judging his net-finding prowess. With the Hammers he played almost exclusively as a midfielder, but at Racing Santander and Maccabi Haifa he was a playmaking forward by trade; indeed, he tallied some 55 goals in 130 league games for the Israeli giants.
Following Keane's departure, Benitez singled out Benayoun as one of those who could slot in behind 'El Nino' as a support striker. In fairness, he struggled somewhat when thrust into this role following Gerrard's early exit against the Toffees. But it would be foolish to judge a player on one performance alone, as Reds fans found out in the past when hailing El Hadji Diouf and Bruno Cheyrou's debut outings.
Lucas Leiva (Brazil, 22, central midfielder/defensive midfielder)
This one is a roughy, no doubt, and surely an unpopular one with the Liverpool-supporting readers given his abject displays of late - particularly after his sending off at Goodison Park. But, regardless of the bad press he's receiving at the minute, the kid's got talent.
Lucas rose to prominence when he was awarded the Bola de Ouro after an outstanding 2006 season with Gremio, attracting the interest of countless European clubs. The Reds landed him the following summer, and big things were expected of a player touted as a perfect mix of Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano - a box-to-box playmaker with great intelligence and solid defensive skills.
Well, no. Not quite.
The Dourados native has clearly attended the Paul Scholes school of tackling, and his lack of strength and physical presence renders him useless as a midfield enforcer. Sadly, though, this is the role in which he has most regularly been deployed, and he has cut a desperate, ankle-hacking figure at times.
The fact is, he's Brazilian. He likes the ball at his feet, and he likes to move it quickly. He also likes to take up very dangerous positions in the box. Benitez has hinted at the possibility of Lucas being given more attacking licence, and when he has been (far too infrequently) offered such an opportunity he has usually taken it gleefully. He demoralised Newcastle United late last year when Alonso was left on the bench. Right now could be a great time to let the Selecao youngster cut loose.
The Verdict
There are other players who might have been mentioned. Krisztian Nemeth would have been right up there, had he not been shipped out on loan recently (watch out for this kid, massively talented Hungarian). Spanish starlet Dani Pacheco is another earning rave reviews in the reserves. David N'Gog seems to be preferred to both where the first-team squad is concerned, but the French youngster is Torres' understudy more than anything else.
From the candidates mentioned, though, it's a matter of circumstance. If Rafa needs a reliable, hard-working foil who can link with the midfield and pressurise defences all day long, Kuyt is the man; if a lethal tandem of pace and skill is required, then Babel; Benayoun may be more suitable when it comes to keeping hold of the ball and toying with edgy, heavy-footed centre-halves; and Lucas could be just the ticket to break teams down with quick-fire, one-touch passing deep in the final third.
On the whole, though, this punter simply wants to see Ryan Babel given a good, solid run in the first team. He's a striker, plain as day. He might be frustrating to watch in his current state, but he's shown more than enough to suggest that he could develop into a terribly dangerous player.
