Liverpool are still sitting outside the Top 10, as the Premier League enters the busy festive period. 

But Brendan Rodgers revolution is showing signs of progress with only one defeat in ten, although that run includes five draws.

But many of those draws could have been turned into victories had the Reds’ forward been firing on all cylinders.

Luis Suarez has improved in front of goal to add to his guile outside the box with 10 league goals this season. But he has still missed his fair share of opportunities as have his team-mates.

In fairness to the Uruguayan, he has had little help with summer signing Fabio Borini out injured and 17-year-old Raheem Sterling more of a winger than a forward.

With so few options – with the exceptions of youngsters such as Dani Pacheco, Adam Morgan and Samed Yesil – loaning Andy Carroll to West Ham seemed short sighted, even considering his poor form, as no replacement was sought.

Carroll would have missed today's clash between Liverpool and West.

But the Reds will surely attempt to rectify the error which saw him leave without a replacement when the transfer window opens next month.

The Reds have been linked with three forwards in particular: Theo Walcott of Arsenal, Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge, and Klaas Jan Huntelaar of Schalke.

Theo Walcott

Walcott’s contract situation at Arsenal has been rumbling since the start of the summer. The right-sided forward - who grew up a Liverpool fan - has indicated that his future at Arsenal hinges on a role at centre-forward.  And it is unclear whether Arsene Wenger will grant him that wish.

That presents an opportunity for Liverpool especially considering that he will be available for a cut-price fee in January with six months left on his contract.

Walcott has other suitors with the England man also linked to Chelsea and Juventus.

But Liverpool could be in prime position if they can promise him a role at centre-forward and convince him that the Liverpool project is on track.

The 23-year-old is the Gunners top scorer this season with 10 goals in all competitions and Arsenal have less than a month left to sort out a deal before he is allowed to speak to other clubs.

 

Daniel Sturridge

Daniel Sturridge has been somewhat unlucky this term. Stuck behind misfiring ex-Liverpool man Fernando Torres in Chelsea’s pecking order, the 23-year-old could be looking for an exit route.

It looked so different last year when Andre Villas-Boas was in charge of the Blues. The current Tottenham coach trusted him – often from the right of the attack – which Sturridge repaid.

He was Chelsea’s joint-top scorer in the league last season with 11 goals, but seven of those strikes came before Christmas 2011.

Since Villas-Boas’ sacking in March 2012, Sturridge has seen his chances restricted first by Roberto Di Matteo who reverted back to Chelsea’s old guard and now by Rafa Benitez.

Benitez seems to have been brought in to coax goals out of Torres which suggests Sturridge is not seen as a viable alternative at Stamford Bridge.

In those circumstances he could be tempted by a move to Liverpool in January although his market value and reported wage demands of almost €100,000 could be a sticking point.

 

Klaas Jan Huntelaar

Huntelaar has been one of European football’s most fearsome predators since bursting onto the scene at Heerenveen in 2005.

But despite his brilliant record in front of goal he has failed to convince at traditional big clubs.

Spells at Real Madrid and AC Milan in 2008-09 and 2009-10 respectively were distinctly underwhelming.

But since his move to Schalke 04 in the summer of 2010, the 29-year-old has found his touch in front of goal with 71 goals in three years in all competitions.

The Holland striker could also be available for a relatively cheap fee in January as he is yet to sign a new contract, with his current deal expiring next summer.

The question is whether he would leave a team in the Champions League for a club still in the midst of a rebuilding process. 

The Reds would also face a battle for his signature with a number of clubs including Arsenal forming an orderly queue.