Kenny Dalglish is hoping Liverpool can put the Luis Suarez racism row behind them as they prepare to face Brighton in the FA Cup.
Dalglish and Suarez both released statements last week in which they apologised for their behaviour during and after the game against Manchester United, when the Uruguayan refused to shake the hand of Patrice Evra, the man he was charged with racially vilifying.
The Anfield club will be hoping to put their name in the hat for the FA Cup quarter-finals, but will first have to get past Brighton, who beat high-flying Newcastle in the last round.
They will also be mentally preparing themselves for the Carling Cup final with Cardiff City in just a week’s time.
Dalglish firmly believes that the club should put the humiliating debacle surrounding Suarez behind them, telling The Sunday Mirror: “It is business as usual for us now. That doesn’t take away our focus or the appreciation for the support we have at this club.”
“Everything has been dealt with, we have just moved on, and now we must concentrate on the football and make sure that our mind is fully focused on getting through the next round of the cup.”
“I think everybody is now just concentrating on the game against Brighton.”
“We have addressed everything we have had to address so we now just move onwards and upwards.”
Dalglish said he was not concerned the row would affect his side’s concentration on the field.
“We just concentrate on the football, that is what we are supposed to do and that is what we will try and do,” he said.
“If we didn’t concentrate on football and try and prepare the best we possibly can, there are an awful lot of people who love this football club that we’d be letting down.”
“We’ve absolutely no intention of doing that. Our fans have been fantastic – and they will be fantastic again against Brighton.”
“Brighton will bring a few supporters and they are a decent side. We have played them already in the Carling Cup and we had a difficult game.”
