Liverpool's Dalglish: it's time to draw line under Suarez affair

Feb 8, 2012, 21:05 GMT

London - Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has moved to calm tensions ahead of this weekend's clash with Manchester United by declaring that it is time 'to draw a line under the Luis Suarez affair.'

Tensions are high heading into Saturday's clash, which will be the first time Suarez has come face to face with Patrice Evra, the man he was found guilty of racially abusing when the two sides met earlier in the season.

Suarez has just returned from an eight-match ban for the charge and Dalglish was criticized for his handling of the affair, including his statement on Monday that 'he never should have been out in the first place.'

But Dalglish said Suarez would shake hands with all the United players and called for a responsible approach from both sides.

'Everyone involved, including the media, the supporters and both teams have a responsibility to ensure this weekend is remembered as a cracking game of football between two very good sides, rather than for anything else,' he told Liverpool's website.

'I thought everyone involved in the FA Cup tie at Anfield played their part in making sure that the match was played in the right way, so let's make sure that happens again this weekend.

'I'm sure people will want to talk about Luis Suarez but he accepted his ban, served his suspension and returned against Spurs on Monday.

'It's time for all of us to draw a line under what happened and move forward.'

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