Brendan Rodgers has stated that the sale of Luis Suarez does not diminish the size of Liverpool's ambitions this season.

The Uruguayan will be turning out for Barcelona when his four-month biting ban is up after the two teams agreed a £75m switch, but Rodgers has backed his squad to respond.

Speaking to reporters, he said: "The sale of Suarez does not lessen our ambition. We thank Luis for his contribution here but we move on, looking for the right players.

"We are a young hungry group and we will progress again. We will be better for the experience of last season."

Rodgers's side began their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 defeat to Brondby in Denmark on Wednesday.