Liverpool vs Southampton: Brendan Rodgers reveals Luis Suarez sent him a text message before the game wishing the Reds good luck

Suarez's former team went on to beat Southampton 2-1 in their opening match

Luis Suarez (left) and Brendan Rodgers during Liverpool training last season (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed Luis Suarez sent him a text message before the Reds' 2-1 victory in their opening Premier League match against Southampton today.

Liverpool looked sharp in attack at Anfield despite the loss of the £75m striker to Barcelona this summer. Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge were on target for Rodgers' side.

"Luis Suarez sent us a lovely text this morning wishing us all the best and telling us to start strong - it's a lovely gesture," Rodgers said after the game.

"We're bigger than any one player, I still think we need a striker so we'll search through until the end of the window for that.

"He sent the text to me personally. What did it say? Don't be so nosey! I texted him back - it's a great love in I've got with him! He's a great boy but he's gone. It was a lovely touch. Liverpool will always be in his heart."

Luis Suarez trained with Barcelona for first time on Friday

Suarez, who scored 31 Premier League goals last season, is expected to make his debut for Barca tomorrow in their friendly at the Nou Camp against Mexican side Club Leon, with the La Liga club's coach Luis Enrique saying: ""I would like him to have some minutes."

The controversial Uruguayan was cleared on Thursday to play friendlies for Barcelona after the Court of Arbitration for Sport softened Fifa's decision to ban Suarez from all football activities for four months for biting the Italian Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup.

The CAS ruling allows Suarez to train and play friendlies, but he won't be able to play a competitive match until 25 October.