Brendan Rodgers is adamant that Liverpool can continue to progress despite the loss of Luis Suarez, whom he has described as a "good man and a good friend".

The Reds have agreed to sell their 31-goal top scorer from last season, who is serving a four-month ban from football for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, to Barcelona for £75m.

The Uruguayan's switch to Catalonia is yet to be officially confirmed, but Rodgers is clearly planning for life after Suarez and is confident that they can be successful without him.

"Luis hasn't let me or the club down at all - he gave everything for Liverpool," he told reporters. "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.

"It's really exciting going into this season. We've qualified for the Champions League and brought in some good players. Hopefully we'll progress."

Rodgers has already recruited Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Emre Can and Lazar Markovic to help fill the void left by Suarez, and Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy could soon join them at Anfield.