Mark Lawrenson: Luis Suarez Can Be Replaced at Liverpool

Mark Lawrenson has argued that Liverpool got the best outcome possible from the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona with the striker making the move this week for £75m.

Suarez sealed the move as he begins to serve his FIFA-sanctioned four month ban for biting an opposition player for the third time in his professional career. The Uruguay international isn't allowed to take part in any football activities in that time but this didn't stop the Catalan giants paying top dollar for his signature.

Liverpool fans have been torn over the move with the star having had a big hand in their title push last season. His absence from the squad leaves a lot of uncertainty over whether they can repeat such a performance but Lawrenson believes that every player is replaceable.

"As far as Liverpool fans are concerned they look and go, irreplaceable, but there really is a point of no return with him," he told the BBC. "Why would you want to keep a world class player, and he is a world class player, who doesn't play a third of the game every season?

"That's now become a constant and I think they've done well getting the money that they've got."

Lawrenson also insisted that Liverpool's history proves they can continue to bring in top-class players with the right management and ownership behind the club.

He explained: "Other players have left in the past, Souness they thought was irreplaceable, Ian Rush was irreplaceable... there is always another player who can take their place but this time maybe it might take a couple to replace Suarez.

"You can't pay a player so much money for him to be sat in the stands actually not being able to play football."

How Liverpool will spend the money now lining their pockets from the Suarez deal remains to be seen, but with the side now in contention for the Champions League trophy they will no doubt be able to compete for top-class players unlike in previous seasons where they've only been able to offer Europa League football.