Brendan Rodgers would instruct his defenders to 'keep their legs closed' if his side are drawn against Luis Suarez's Barcelona in the Champions League

The Reds manager knows all about the tricky striker

Brendan Rodgers talks with Luis Suarez during a Liverpool training session (Getty Images)

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will give his defenders some simple advice to try and deal with lethal former Red Luis Suarez if his side are drawn against Barcelona in the Champions League: "Keep your legs closed".

The Anfield side will be in Pot 3 for their return to Europe's elite competition, meaning they could face one of Real Madrid, Barca or Bayern Munich in the group stage, which begin next month.

Suarez completed his £75m move from Liverpool to the Nou Camp last month, despite his four-month ban from football for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup. His ban ends on the 26 October.

"It would be a wonderful game," Rodgers said when asked about the prospect of facing the Spaniards in the Champions League. "They are two clubs who are giants in the world game."

And how would he contain the tricky, nutmegging striker?

"I would probably have to tell my defenders to keep their legs closed."

The Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has claimed that the club would be favourites for the Premier League title if they still had Suarez.

"I believe if we had Suarez we'd be favourites," he said. "I'm disappointed to see him leave now but I am happy for him that’s he has got what he wants and deserves. Since day one he has been phenomenal in training every day and in the games."