Liverpool have come a long way in eight years. It was on this day in 2014 that Luis Suarez completed a move to Barcelona worth for a fee in the region of £75m.
The talismanic Uruguayan striker had only been at Liverpool three-and-a-half years when he moved to Spain. He initially joined the Reds from Ajax in 2011 for £22.7m and had a seriously impressive but controversial spell on Merseyside.
He came agonisingly close to winning the Premier League with the club in the 2013/14 season when he ended the campaign as the Golden Boot winner. He was also named PFA Players' Player of the Year and Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year having scored an incredible 31 goals in 33 league appearances.
READ MORE: Darwin Nunez experiences Liverpool first but nothing changes for Andy Robertson
READ MORE: Liverpool signing who Man United 'wanted' named in squad as Pep Lijnders gets wish
At 27 years of age, Suarez undoubtedly had his best years ahead of him and it was no surprise his form had caught the attention of Europe's elite. After completing the move to Barcelona, he said in a statement: "I hope you can all understand why I have made this decision.
"This club did all they could to get me to stay, but playing and living in Spain, where my wife's family live, is a lifelong dream and ambition. I believe now the timing is right."
Success became routine for Suarez at the Camp Nou with four La Liga titles in his six years with Barca. He also won the Champions League in his first season. For Liverpool, they failed to manage a top-five finish in the two campaigns that followed his departure.
Manager Brendan Rodgers admitted at the time Suarez's exit had hindered his team's progress. “We are going to take the short-term hit at the moment knowing that in the long-term the club will be better for it,” said Rodgers. “Luis went and that’s obviously been the issue for us this season; our lack of goals has really hurt us this season."
Losing key players at the peak of their powers was a problem Liverpool needed to solve if they were to compete at the highest level. Hints at success were followed by big departures and the constant need to rebuild.
Philippe Coutinho followed suit a few years later with a big money move, also to Barcelona, but only then did the Reds' fortunes take a turn for the better. Jurgen Klopp's impact started to be felt and the club reaped the benefits of a more effective recruitment strategy.
A Champions League trophy and Premier League title do not even scratch the surface at the success Liverpool have achieved in recent years. Anfield has become a destination for players to spend the best years of their career. No longer do the club's biggest stars believe they'll fare better elsewhere.
Sadio Mane may have departed Liverpool this summer to join Bayern Munich, but the winger had won everything he possibly could while on Merseyside, and he spent six unforgettable years at the club. While the Senegalese is showing no signs of slowing down, the Reds no doubt got some of his best years.
Liverpool's succession planning under FSG is effective, with the arrival of Luis Diaz in January ensuring the club have a promising left winger for the years ahead. Mane's departure was also eased by the arrival of Darwin Nunez from Benfica, who has joined in what could potentially be a club-record transfer if all add-ons are paid out.
But arguably the greatest sign Liverpool have come a long way from where they were when Suarez left in 2014 is Mohamed Salah's desire to pen another long-term contract with the Reds. The Egyptian signed a fresh deal earlier this month, committing his future until 2025.
Salah has already put himself in the conversation as one of the Reds' greatest players - and the club's willingness to make him the highest paid player in its history speaks volumes of how valued he is. It goes without saying, the 30-year-old knows there is no better place to spend the next three years of his career and, despite already winning all he possibly can, he's hungry for more and will play an integral role in any success Liverpool have in the coming seasons.
READ NEXT:
Jurgen Klopp fires dig at Man United straight after Liverpool touch down in Thailand
Jurgen Klopp comment at Liverpool press conference leaves Jordan Henderson and James Milner laughing
Neymar handed Liverpool boost and ruined rivals' transfer plans
Neco Williams shows truth about Liverpool transfers as Spurs play silent role in £17m deal
