Five to follow Fowler

Liverpool would love to net David Trezequet

BBC Sport Online chief football writer Phil McNulty looks at five possible successors to Robbie Fowler as Liverpool accept an £11m bid from Leeds United for Anfield's cult hero.

Robbie Fowler's love affair with Liverpool's fans has led to him being handed the nickname "God" - but he is no longer on their side as he prepares to move to Leeds United.

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier and his assistant Phil Thompson have had an uneasy relationship with the England striker - despite naming him vice-captain.

And now, after months of speculation and occasionally adverse publicity, Fowler has reached the end of his affair with Liverpool.

It is a move that will infuriate many of Liverpool's supporters - particularly as he is being allowed to join a side that poses a major threat to their own title ambitions.

Liverpool now have £11m to spend on a possible replacement - so who is in the frame to follow Fowler?

FREDERIC KANOUTE (aged 24) West Ham
West Ham striker Kanoute has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool.

Several newspapers have claimed that the French striker is top of Houllier's wanted list.

Houllier is a long time admirer of Kanoute

Houllier is a known admirer of Kanoute and first sounded out West Ham about his availability last year.

Kanoute is not in the same mould as Michael Owen, and would therefore arguably provide a better foil for the dimunitive striker than Fowler did.

The Frenchman is quick, strong and technically very skilful, coming from the same ranks as Thierry Henry and Sylvain Wiltord.

And Kanoute has made no secret of his desire to play for one the Premiership's big guns, including Liverpool.

MILAN BAROS (aged 20) Liverpool
Czech Republic striker Baros - lavishly branded "The Maradona of Ostrava" - has already signed a five-year deal with Liverpool.

Houllier was delighted to seal a £3.75m transfer from Banik Ostrava in the face of competition from Juventus and Borussia Dortmund.

Baros - one for the future

He is a brilliant dribbler who is tipped to set the Premiership alight.

But his arrival could be delayed by months because, as a non-EU player, he needs a work permit and currently does not fit the criteria because he has not played enough games for the Czech Republic.

Liverpool are thrilled to have signed him, but he may be regarded as a long-term option rather than an instant answer to Fowler's departure.

DJIBRIL CISSE (aged 20) Auxerre
Cisse is one of the French first division's leading scorers and has been winning rave reviews recently.

He burst onto the scene in the 2000/01 season and much is expected of the 20-year-old this term.

Cisse has drawn comparisons with Henry and Nicolas Anelka because of his speed and quick feet.

Cisse has been compared to Thierry Henry

The young striker is undeniably gifted, but many, including his coach Guy Roux at Auxerre, insist Cisse has yet to come of age.

Cisse has been criticised for missing too many good chances by Roux and France coach Roger Lemerre.

But Houllier will be keen not to miss out on another of France's emerging stars, having overlooked Henry, who has been a major success at Arsenal.

Cisse has also revealed that he would like to play in the Premiership, saying the English game would suit his style of play.

NUNO GOMES (aged 25) Fiorentina
Gomes was linked with Liverpool earlier this season after his club Fiorentina ran into financial difficulties.

Liverpool boss Houllier admitted he was an admirer of Gomes, who first confirmed his quality with Boavista and Benfica before moving to Italy in the summer of 2000.

Gomes is a naturally gifted striker who has also attracted interest from Manchester United, particularly after having an outstanding Euro 2000.

He would fit the bill as a striker who could come straight in to fit in well with Michael Owen, Jari Litmanen and Emile Heskey.

DAVID TREZEGUET (aged 24) Juventus
Trezeguet would probably be Houllier's first choice - but Liverpool would face a massive task luring the £15m-rated striker from Italy.

Houllier brought Trezeguet through the ranks of the outstanding French youth system he put in place when he was the country's technical director.

Houllier admires Trezeguet

Trezeguet made his name at Monaco before moving to Juve.

He was part of France's World Cup winning squad in 1998 - and is best remembered for scoring the golden goal winner in the final of Euro 2000 against Italy.

Trezeguet was the scourge of Celtic in the Champions League this season, and is regarded as a crucial element of their European challenge.

THE BEST OF THE REST
KEVIN PHILLIPS (Sunderland)
ALAN SMITH (Leeds)
LOUIS SAHA(Fulham)
HAKAN SUKUR (Inter Milan)
ANDY COLE (Man Utd)
DWIGHT YORKE (Man Utd)