US Edition Kenny Dalglish's side began life temporarily without Suarez against Manchester City and they problems in front of goal were exposed in a defeat that was in part a function of wastefulness in front of goal.
For large parts of the game Liverpool were the equal of the league leaders, carving numerous chances but failing to beat Joe Hart.
Stewart Downing, who has yet to open his Anfield account, missed one glaring chance with the game still without a goal while Andy Carroll's troubles continued.
The striker, signed for £35m from Newcastle United a year ago, has scored just twice in the league in a Liverpool shirt and there was little in his performance at the Etihad Stadium to suggest he would be able to fill in for Suarez over the coming weeks.
Craig Bellamy, who arrived at the club for nothing from Manchester City, has been restricted in his playing time but from the statistics the Welsh forward offers greater hope for Dalglish.
Contributing roughly a goal every game and a half in terms of minutes on the pitch, Bellamy, who scored twice from the bench against Newcastle, is the most prolific of Liverpool's available strikers, while Steve Gerrard's return to fitness is timely, with goals also a rarity from Liverpool's midfield.
Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson have managed just three league goals between them this season.
The figures give weight to Dalglish's assertion that, other than actually sticking the ball in the net, Liverpool's play has been mostly good. No team in the division has had more shots on goal than his side.
How they will improve their chance conversion with Suarez on the sidelines for another seven games, however, is a problem that may tempt Dalglish to enter the transfer market for a proven goalscorer before the month is out.