Rodgers had hoped to persuade Alexis Sanchez to move in the opposite direction as a makeweight, but the Chile striker signed for Arsenal on Thursday meaning the Reds boss has the full cash amount of the club-record transfer to spend.

Rodgers remains positive they will cope without the brilliance of Suarez.

“Luis is a very special talent and I thank him for the role he has played in the team in the past two years, during my time at Liverpool,” he told liverpoolfc.com.

“I think he would be the first to accept he has improved as a player over that period, along with the team, and has benefited from being here as we have benefited from him.

“The club have done all they can over a sustained period of time to try to keep Luis at Liverpool.

“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.

“We wish him and his young family well; we will always consider them to be friends.

“We are focused on the future, as we strive to continue with the progress we have made and build on last season’s excellent Barclays Premier League campaign.

“I am confident we will improve the team further and will be stronger for this coming season, when we will be competing on all fronts; domestically and in the greatest club competition in the world, the Champions League.

“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.”

Rodgers’ immediate task is to find a replacement for Suarez and he has been linked with a return to former club Swansea for Ivory Coast international Wilfried Bony.

Swans chairman Huw Jenkins has accused the Reds of going behind his back in approaching the 25-year-old but sources at Anfield insist that is not the case.

Rodgers has a very good relationship with Jenkins after they worked together closely during his time at the Liberty Stadium, so any alleged underhand tactics would be in stark contrast to their previous dealings over midfielder Joe Allen.

“I was very surprised to hear and disappointed to hear that Liverpool had gone down that route and were talking to the player behind behind my club’s back,” Jenkins told the Daily Mail.

“I’m disappointed that Liverpool are acting in that manner. No official approach has been made to me or our football club.”

However, club insiders have dismissed the allegations, stressing there has been no contact with the player.