Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers admits his squad is fast losing top quality experience.

Steven Gerrard's impending departure, following the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona last summer, leaves the side low on top-class quality.

The club's recruitment policy since Fenway Sports Group took over in 2010 has been to focus on buying players with potential to improve but the current situation demands a different approach.

"It is important to continue to move forward," said Rodgers.

"I was fully aware part of the evolution of this group in the first two or three years (of his reign) was going to be that period where some of the great names of the club were going to move on.

"The likes of Carra (Jamie Carragher) in my first year was brilliant and come the end of that season he wanted to move on.

"Guys like Pepe Reina, stalwarts of the club, needed to move on to play regularly and you have seen recently Steven feels at the end of the season it is time for a life change as much as a football change.

"It is very difficult for a manager, these are players who have been outstanding for the club.

"You have to strategically have a plan in place to do everything you possibly can to replace that quality.

"Ultimately that is what it is about. It is not about the number of players, it is about the sheer quality of the player.

"Liverpool has had that quality over a number of years and must continue to have it going forward.

"That is a challenge for a manager in the model of how we work and we will have to work very hard to get that level of player in.

"We must also respect young players coming in need to be given that opportunity so hopefully they can become a star."