Suarez worth as much as Bale, claims Rodgers

The Liverpool manager suggests Arsenal should pay closer to the 100 million euros Real Madrid is set to splash out if the Gunners want to sign the wantaway Reds striker

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers thinks striker Luis Suarez is worth as much as Gareth Bale and has reiterated his desire to keep hold of the Uruguay international.

Arsenal is keen to sign the controversial striker and tabled two bids in July, with Suarez also signalling his intention to leave Anfield, while Real Madrid is in negotiations with Spurs over a 115 million-euro deal for Bale.

However, speaking after Steven Gerrard's testimonial at Anfield, which the Reds won 2-0, Rodgers insisted the two players were of a similar value and warned the club would fight hard to keep Suarez.

"Every single player in the world has a value, but it's not something we're thinking about. We're in no hurry to sell Luis or any other player," he told reporters.

"You only need to look at the market, and when you compare 45 million euros and then Gareth Bale with nine figures.

"Bale and Suarez were arguably the two best players in the Premier League last year, so you can't say Bale is valued at over 100 percent more.

"We as a club are very strong in our belief in what we're doing and no one will be moving out of here in a hurry."

Rodgers also insisted the offers the club has received so far for Suarez, from Arsenal, were too low and that the striker remained an important part of his plans.

"I think there's lot of stories around Luis but there's no change. Of all the speculation that there's been since the end of the season, and all the clubs he's been linked with, we've had two bids from one club," he added.

"They have been nowhere near the valuation in the market for a top player. Until anything dramatic changes he's still welcome.

"Thus far it's very simple - we don't want to sell him. We're trying to build something here so there's nothing new to report."

Suarez received a warm welcome when he appeared as a substitute at Anfield on Saturday, and Rodgers praised the fans for their efforts.

"It just shows you the class of the Liverpool supporters. There has been a lot of speculation about Luis and people wondering what sort of reception he would get," he said.

"That's the type of supporters Liverpool supporters are. They love their own and he's still part of our group and our team. He can't start the season of course because he's suspended but they've given him everything. They might have had an excuse not to do that but they've backed him to the hills."