Steven Gerrard Admits Liverpool Miss Luis Suarez at Golden Shoe Presentation

Gone but not forgotten, Luis Suarez remains a missed figure at Anfield, according to Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who made a tribute to his former team-mate at Wednesday evening's presentation of the Golden Shoe award.

Following last season's 31-goal haul in the Premier League, Suarez was handed his trophy by Reds legend Kenny Dalglish before Gerrard chimed in via video message, per the Mirror's David McDonnell and Liam Prenderville:

"

I'm sorry I can't be with Luis today, but I would like to congratulate him from everyone here at Liverpool. You were a magical player at Liverpool. Barça are lucky. Good luck for the future, mate. We miss you very much, all the best.

"

Suarez was named joint-winner of the award—given to Europe's top goalscorer—alongside Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo.

The timing couldn't contrast Liverpool's current scoring fortunes any more as Brendan Rodgers strives to unearth a talisman of Suarez's prolific nature following his £75 million switch to Barcelona.

In the absence of an injured Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli is yet to net his first Premier League goal since moving back to England, while Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini watch on as peripheral squad figures.

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

It has left Raheem Sterling with a hefty attacking responsibility for one so young, which in part led to him being left out of England's starting XI for a Euro 2016 qualifier against Estonia due to fatigue, per BBC Sport.

Not everyone was so open toward the rolling out of Suarez's red carpet, however, as Merseyside reporter Richard Buxton condemned the negative aspects of his departure from the club:

Barca are yet to see their summer purchase in first-team action, thanks to his four-month ban from football, but Luis Enrique is preparing to introduce his star on Oct. 25, the first El Clasico of the season.

That fixture against Real Madrid hands the striker an ideal opportunity to begin his story as a Blaugrana in the right light, a chance to be heralded an instant hero at Camp Nou.

Commenting not only on the Spanish tapestry he should soon start to weave but also on the allies he left behind in England, Suarez said:

"

What a beautiful moment [this is]. I am almost ready to get back to playing. I always do the same thing – have fun and do my best. It would be something special to make my debut against Madrid. Making my debut for Barca in the Bernabeu is special. I feel good after the two friendlies and I am at 100 per cent.

I joined the club I always wanted to play at, I thank Barça for fulfilling my dream. I wouldn't have won this trophy if it wasn't for the teammates.

"

Should his Barca career get off to such a bright start, it would only rub salt further in the wound for some Reds, pining after the scoring grace their former marvel once provided in front of goal.

Gerrard may miss his former target man as much as any, but the Anfield stalwart will certainly not linger on the past, concentrating only on the now.