Setting aside the controversy and bans, it was wonderful having Suarez playing for Liverpool these past few years and so much of what he did on the field of play defied belief. In terms of footballing ability, he's the most capable player Liverpool have ever had.
As Rodgers has pointed out, Liverpool benefited from having him in the team however the manager played a significant part in turning him into the elite player he is today. Like all good managers, Rodgers showed flexibility in moving away from his preferred formation to build the team around an exceptional player. There's little doubt he will be setting up the team differently now that Suarez has gone making the task of finding a direct replacement unnecessary as well as impossible.
Liverpool will obviously miss his goals, assists and the fear factor to opposing teams but they will also miss his infectious attitude in training and in games, something that can't be coached or faked. The other players responded to him like no other when he was stand in captain before Christmas last year and no one else has demanded so much from his teammates on the field as well as himself in all my time supporting Liverpool. He played as if he would do anything to win, and often did.
In this respect Suarez leaves a huge void and I wonder how much of it can be filled by the new look team? Henderson seems to have some of this attitude and perhaps Lovren may also from further back. Will we be surprised by anyone else stepping forward out of his shadow?