Brendan Rodgers Says Liverpool Will Bounce Back As Luis Suarez Signs For Barcelona

Reds boss not concerned by striker exit.Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has backed the club to bounce back after the announcement of Luis Suarez’s departure to Barcelona, the Daily Mirror reports.

In a statement issued by the Reds boss, Rodgers insisted that the Merseyside giants have throughout their history shown themselves to be bigger than any individual player, and that that would be the case here too.

Suarez has established himself as one of the best players in the world during his time at Anfield, scoring 82 goals in 133 appearances in total, including a superb record of 31 in 33 games in the Premier League last season, as Liverpool came agonisingly close to winning the title.

Still, Rodgers remains optimistic that the club can build on their strong display of last season and form a side capable of challenging for the league again this year.

“The club have done all they can over a sustained period of time to try to keep Luis at Liverpool,” the Northern Irishman said. “It is with great reluctance and following lengthy discussions we have eventually agreed to his wishes to move to Spain for new experiences and challenges.

“If there is one thing the history of this great club teaches us, it is that Liverpool FC is bigger than any individual. I hope our supporters continue to dream and believe that we are moving forward and with continued improvement and progression, together we will bring the success we all crave and deserve.”

Suarez becomes the fourth new signing of the summer for Barcelona, who have also brought in two goalkeepers in Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Claudio Bravo, alongside Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic, signed from Sevilla.

Meanwhile, big names such as Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez have left the club, sealing moves to Chelsea and Arsenal, respectively.

Read more Liverpool transfer rumours.