• Premier League

Rodgers: Suarez didn't let Liverpool down

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says he does not feel let down by Luis Suarez's decision to join Barcelona, but issued a warning to his players that no individual is bigger than the club.

Suarez recently completed a £75 million move to the Nou Camp following a controversial summer which saw him earn a four-month ban from all football related activity for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.

Rodgers, who said Liverpool did everything to keep Suarez, stuck by the striker throughout difficult times during his Anfield career, most notably when the Uruguayan was suspended for ten games for a similar offence on Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic last April. However, the manager has called for the club to move on from the saga and look towards what he thinks will be an "exciting" season.

Why Liverpool won't fail like Tottenham

Liverpool will be affected by Suarez's sale © Getty Images

• Fear not Liverpool fans, here are five reasons why your club won't "do a Tottenham" following the sale of Luis Suarez.
• David Usher explains it all here

"Luis hasn't let me or the club down at all - he gave everything for Liverpool," Rodgers told Sky Sports News. "Of course there have been issues, but they're in the past. He was a brilliant player for us and for me, and I will always see him as a good man and a good friend.

"It's a shame he's not here but Liverpool, as a club, is bigger than any individual and we will move forward without him.

"There's real excitement going into this season. We've qualified for the Champions League, we went close to winning the title [last season] and I'm really excited about the players that we've brought in."

Suarez scored 31 goals in their surprise title push last season, which ultimately saw Liverpool fall just short of champions Manchester City.

A costly slip by Steven Gerrard against Chelsea proved to be a standout moment in the season's climax but, following the club's return to the Champions League, Rodgers believes his captain's decision to retire from England duty is a welcome boost.

Rodgers said: "Liverpool is everything to him and there's certainly no doubt that by missing out on international football, it'll make him fresher. He'll be ready to be at his optimum level as often as he can, so for Liverpool it's great."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd