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Brendan Rofgers believes Luis Suarez would be making a big mistake if he left Liverpool to join Arsenal.

The Reds boss, who is battling to keep hold of the prolific Uruguay striker, has questioned why anyone would want to quit Anfield and move to the Emirates.

Liverpool rejected an improved offer of £40million plus £1 from Arsenal on Tuesday with Rodgers insisting that figure is “significantly” short of their valuation of last season's 30-goal top scorer.

Suarez, who arrived in Thailand with the squad yesterday, has been informed that Liverpool won't consider granting him a move until there is a bid on the table which represents his true value.

Arsenal can offer Champions League football but Rodgers is trying to convince Suarez to snub their interest.

The Northern Irishman expects Liverpool to be competing with the Londoners at the top end of the Premier League this season and desperately wants Suarez around to lead the charge.

He said: “I know what we are trying to build and grow, so why would you swap Liverpool to go to Arsenal?

“I am not sure that it adds up to be honest. Arsenal has a wonderful history in its own right, but Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“Okay, we might not be in the Champions League and haven’t been for a while now, but our competitors have grown around us and we have to step up to the challenge now.

“Would it be a mistake for Luis to leave? 100%. The team was built around Luis last season.

“I made some big calls to get the team to work in a way to suit his strengths and it is no coincidence he had a great season apart from the end bit. We would love to have him to continue the next phase.”

Liverpool were given another warm reception on their arrival in Bangkok for the final leg of their pre-season tour. Suarez is expected to line up against Thailand on Sunday before the squad return to the UK.

“It is difficult for Luis, I understand that,” Rodgers said.

“If a team wants you, it can be difficult, but I am not sure many teams will have done what we have done in the last couple of games. I am sure Luis will have seen the sheer size and status of the club on this trip.

“But it is not something we want to run on too long. It is something that can’t run on too long.”

Rodgers refused to be drawn on whether Suarez submitting a transfer request would force Liverpool's hand.

However, the manager praised the club's principal owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner for their hardline stance throughout the summer-long saga.

“Luis is under contract so I haven’t even thought about that (a transfer request),” Rodgers said.

The ECHO's James Pearce on the Luis Suarez transfer saga

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“If a player tells you he really wants to go then you have to look at it.

“But it is a situation we are in control of because he has three years left on his contract. Unless something changes or there is an offer which is heavily increased, he is still very much a Liverpool player.

“I can categorically say the owners have been brilliant throughout this process. The board and club has stayed very strong. It is very simple - we don’t want to sell one of our top players.

“We will continue to work on improving our squad rather than breaking it up.”