Liverpool Transfer News: Rodgers Looking to Replace Balotelli With 'New Sergio Aguero'

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is reportedly eyeing a January move for Villarreal's Luciano Vietto as he continues to search for someone who can take over the goalscoring load of the departed Luis Suarez.

The 21-year-old Argentine striker, who has been dubbed as the "new Sergio Aguero", has been pretty impressive for Villarreal this season, scoring 7 goals from 15 La Liga appearances.

However, the Northern Irishman will not be able to secure the signature of Vietto that easily as Real Madrid and Inter Milan are also believed to be interested in the £12 million-rated striker.

Yet, Rodgers will fight tooth and nail for the Argentine after growing frustrated with the poor form of Mario Balotelli this season.

The Italian, who arrived from AC Milan for a transfer fee of £16 million last summer, was handed the responsibility of getting regular goals for Liverpool following the departure of Suarez to Barcelona.

However, the former Manchester City striker has been very disappointing this season, failing to net a single goal in the Premier League so far.

Due to this reason, Rodgers is reportedly looking to offload the Italian in the winter transfer window and sign Vietto in his stead.

The young Argentine has been time and again compared to his compatriot and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, who has found a lot of success in the Premier League since his £38 million switch from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2011.

Although Rodgers does not expect Vietto to be in the same league as Aguero, if he does manage to sign him in January, the former Swansea City boss is reportedly adamant that the former Racing Club striker will be able to at least provide him with regular goals.

Also, Rodgers feels that Vietto's addition in January will improve the Merseyside club's chances of making the top four of the Premier League this season.

However, Liverpool will certainly have to work hard to convince Villarreal into selling their striker in January as Vietto completed a £4.85million switch from Argentine side Racing Club only this summer.