The Reds manager softened his stance for the first time on his star striker, indicating he could be sold this summer, but not for less than the £50million Chelsea paid for Fernando Torres back in 2011.

‘If Arsenal want the player, then they have to produce the value for the player,’ he said after Liverpool’s 2-0 friendly win against Melbourne Victory.

Rodgers, who has previously compared Suarez in the same bracket as Edinson Cavani, who recently joined PSG for £55m, added: ‘There was an offer two weeks ago of £35m. Two weeks later it is now £40million and £1 — I don’t think it is anywhere near what he is worth.

‘But it is two-fold, really. A player may want to go but then somebody has to pay the value of that player.’

Suarez is expected to tell Rodgers today that he wants to officially hold talks with Arsenal, and the Gunners feel their £40,000,001 offer is enough to force Liverpool to sell.

The Uruguayan’s camp are also said to be mystified as to why Liverpool rejected Arsenal’s bid, as they believe any offer exceeding £40m must be accepted from a club in the Champions League should the Reds fail to make the competition.

A theory to the clause confusion is whether Liverpool interpret Arsenal as officially being a Champions League club, with the Gunners facing a two-legged qualifier in August to enter the group stages.