Brendan Rodgers revealed that Luis Suarez helped inspire Liverpool to
victory in their first competitive game since his departure by sending
them a text message wishing his former teammates well.
Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge scored in Liverpool's 2-1 win
over Southampton as the Merseyside club began life without their
Uruguayan forward, who joined Barcelona for 75 million pounds in July.
But manager Rodgers, who reiterated that he remains keen to sign a
forward to replace Suarez, said Liverpool are grateful that the former
Ajax player had stayed in touch.
He said in a news conference: "He sent us a lovely text this morning
wishing us all the best, which was a great gesture. He is a friend now
of Liverpool.
"He is a great boy but he is gone now. Our ambitions here at
Liverpool have to be bigger than one player. We do still want another
striker but that will depend on the availability."
Sturridge scored the second-half winner on his 50th appearance for
the club, meaning only the 19th-century forward George Allen has struck
more often in his first 50 Liverpool games.
He added: "For Daniel, it was just a continuation. I think that is 36
goals in 50 appearances which is the [second] best of any striker in
Liverpool's history. That shows the level he is at. He always looks like
he will score. It was a poacher's goal."
Sturridge told Sky Sports 1: "It's important as a collective unit
that we all provide the goals, but it doesn't matter how many we get so
long as we defend well and get the goals we need,''
"The first game is always difficult. The pace was high, we worked
hard and controlled things, but when they got a goal it was difficult
for us. But we got the result and that's what matters."
Asked if Liverpool were stronger without Suarez, Sturridge added: "I
think so, with the players we have brought in. No disrespect to Luis --
he's a great player and he'll be missed -- but we move on from that.
"We have shown we can win games, score goals and defend as well. But
with the little man [Sterling] and the other players producing the
goods, we'll be okay.''
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