Premier League: Liverpool prepare for life after Suarez

Divock Origi is expected to join Liverpool for around 10 million

Liverpool are close to completing their fourth and fifth summer signings, with at least two more on the horizon...

Much as Tottenham did all their buying before finalising Gareth Bale's sale last summer, Liverpool are busy adding bodies at great expense despite not yet confirming Luis Suarez's exit for Barcelona.

It is a logical approach for several reasons, giving the newcomers as much time as possible to settle, cushioning the PR blow of losing a key player, preventing targets from doubting ambition and ridding selling clubs of the opportunity to scent the purchasers' desperation and hike up the asking price.

Before Luis Suarez had a nibble on Giorgio Chiellini a fortnight ago and the prospects of him leaving in this window shot in to 1.051/20, Liverpool had already began bolstering their squad in preparation for their Champions League return.

Rickie Lambert's 4 million arrival from Southampton was arranged before the World Cup, with teammate Adam Lallana's 25 million move following him to Anfield in the aftermath, while 20-year-old midfielder Emre Can signed from Bayer Leverkusen for around 10 million.

Now, it is widely reported that the next two acquisitions are on the brink of completion.

Lille forward Divock Origi will apparently join for a fee rising to 10 million, which seems a bargain given his age (19) and role in Belgium's World Cup run. The other incoming talent is another young one, with a 25 million deal for Benfica's 20-year-old winger Lazar Markovic allegedly brokered.

That would mean 74 million splashed out on five purchases, with the intention of further spending established by them remaining in negotiations for Dejan Lovren, Alexis Sanchez and a left back, with Sevilla's Alberto Moreno and Sporting Lisbon's Marcos Rojo among the rumoured candidates there.

However, in a similar manner to how the players that Tottenham bought last year were packed with potential but not immediately on Bale's level, nobody that Liverpool have recruited measures up favourably to Suarez at present or are considered to ease the anguish of his impending departure.

Consequently, Liverpool are distant 10.5n/a fourth favourites to win the Premier League in 2014/15 despite last season's near miss, and are judged far from certain to retain their top-four place at 1.991/1.