The Reds lost Luis Suarez to Barcelona earlier this summer but have signed a number of stars since his departure and the Northern Irishman is delighted with his acquisitions

Brendan Rodgers believes Liverpool’s summer signings are an indication of how far the club has come in recent seasons.

Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren have all arrived from Southampton since the end of last season, while the Merseyside club have also signed Lazar Markovic, Emre Can, Javier Manquillo and Divock Origi, with the latter rejoining Lille on loan for the 2014-15 campaign.

Liverpool are also on the verge of finalising the transfer of Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno and Rodgers believes the Premier League runners-up have a growing reputation in Europe, despite the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona.

“It’s a huge indication of the progress of the club – a really good symbol of where the club is at,” the Northern Irishman told reporters.

“We have made huge strides in the last couple of years. That ability to attract top players is great.

“Lovren is a top player and a guy sought after by a number of clubs, so for him to say he only wanted to come to Liverpool was great.

“Young Markovic had two or three other clubs there waiting to take him – clubs where he had mates from his international team – but he wanted to come to Liverpool.

“These guys watch football throughout Europe. They watch us and want to be part of what we’re doing. It hasn’t just happened by accident, the most important thing is to have an identity. There is real excitement around the club.

“If you’re a football player in Europe watching how we played last season and saw our supporters, your reaction would be that you’d want to play in that environment – it’s a team that plays exciting football.”

Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign against Southampton on Sunday.

The 33-year-old insists that he wants to stay and fight for a place in Brendan Rodgers squad, but admits that he could yet move away from the club this summer

Kolo Toure has rejected a move to Trabzonspor but said “anything can happen” after vowing to stay at Liverpool for the time being.

The Ivorian defender looked to be on his way out of Anfield after the Turkish club’s president, Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, claimed that a deal had been agreed with the former Manchester City and Arsenal man.

Toure made only 20 Premier League appearances in his first season on Merseyside, but despite realising his opportunities could be limited once again in the new campaign, the 33-year-old has rejected the overtures from the Super Lig club.

“Trabzonspor are interested in me, but I am happy to be a Liverpool player – especially as the coach [Brendan Rodgers] reiterated his confidence in me for what I bring to the group,” Toure told Sport Ivoire.

“He wants to keep me to help Liverpool cope with all the competitions they are in. It’s true that I have to look at all possibilities. If I sense there’s a need to leave, then I will see.

“There’s a possibility that I may need to drop into a lesser league to earn more playing time, but I am a battler and I have decided to stay at Liverpool. It’s true that things can change at any time. For the moment, I repeat, I am at Liverpool and I hope to stay at the club.

“For now, Trabzonspor is a no. But in football, anything can happen.

“I know what to expect, but there will be lots of matches in the Premier League and Champions League, and I know I will have time to prove that I’m still hungry. I know I will not play every game, that’s for sure.”

The Uruguayan has been frustrated by the lack of progress made with the striker since having an offer accepted, but expects to complete a deal soon

Gus Poyet has revealed he hopes to be able to unveil Fabio Borini as a Sunderland player in the coming days.

The Liverpool striker spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light, scoring 10 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions, and was a key figure in guiding the Black Cats to safety.

Poyet had earmarked the Italian as one of his main targets this summer, but despite having a £14 million offer accepted by the Anfield outfit, a deal with the player himself has so far proved elusive.

But the Uruguayan now believes there is genuine cause for optimism in their pursuit of the forward, and said he expects movement on the deal in the next few days.

“The idea was to have the deal done a few weeks ago,” admitted Poyet to Sky Sports News.

“But for different reasons it was impossible, but we are confident that maybe in the next few days we can do something about Fabio.

“I’m always thinking that we can add quality players, especially the ones we know, and let’s hope that confidence I am trying to bring to the club is confirmed…with the signing of Borini.”

Sunderland have already displayed their willingness to splash the cash this summer, having secured the services of Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell for £10 million.