Barcelona identify Liverpool striker as potential Suarez replacement

Spanish giants Barcelona have reportedly earmarked Liverpool's Roberto Firmino as a potential replacement for Luis Suarez in the long run.

Suarez has been far from his best form over the past 18 months and he is currently on a run of six matches without finding the net for the Catalans.

As a result, the Spanish champions are planning to phase out the Uruguayan in the near future and OK Diario reports that they have already begun their search for a potential successor.

It is added that the Blaugrana are planning to raid Liverpool once more with Philippe Coutinho's Brazilian compatriot Roberto Firmino now being the main transfer target for them.

Nonetheless, the Brazilian may not be prised away from Anfield for the next few seasons at the least after the Reds recently rewarded him with a five-year deal to which the striker admitted that was an easy decision.

Firmino has scored three times in 11 appearances for Liverpool since the current season started. Two of those have come in the Premier League where the Reds are behind leaders Manchester City on only goal difference.