Suarez surely in last-chance saloon following embarrassing episode

ALL APOLOGIES from Liverpool and not before time, but the issue raised in anger by Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford on Saturday remains one that confronts Kenny Dalglish and Fenway Sports Group, the club’s owners, in the cold light of a shameful day. The Anfield hierarchy have to consider washing their hands completely of Luis Suarez.

It is not the Manchester United manager’s place to tell Liverpool that their prized striker should never play for the club again following his refusal to shake the hand of Patrice Evra and, as his handling of Eric Cantona shows, no club gives up on a talented problem lightly.

When a club is also four points off the final Champions League qualifying place and the majority of its €131 million recruitment drive over the past 12 months has failed to justify the expense, the importance of the finest purchase is magnified. But not to the extent, as Suarez showed against United, where the player believes himself more important than his club or manager.

Until yesterday morning, when the condemnation rose higher and the penny dropped at Liverpool, Suarez has been overindulged, erroneously defended and absolved from the responsibility of his actions ever since he called Evra “negro” at Anfield last October.

It was shocking to witness the Uruguayan refuse the Frenchman’s hand. Less so, however, when consideration is given to how Liverpool and Dalglish, as recently as last Monday in the manager’s case, have encouraged the portrayal of Suarez as the innocent victim throughout this depressing episode.

He repaid them by bringing shame on the club and embarrassing one of the most revered names in Liverpool’s history. Dalglish was still heading for his seat in the dugout at Old Trafford when the handshakes took place, or did not in the case of Suarez, Evra and Rio Ferdinand.

The striker had assured him there would not be an issue prior to last week’s statement that read: “I know he will shake the hand of Patrice Evra.”

The by-product was that toe-curling interview with Sky’s Geoff Shreeves, one that reflected the manager’s position on the entire saga, and subsequent admission from Dalglish that his conduct was not befitting a Liverpool manager.

Suarez had landed him in it.

At what point do Dalglish, John W Henry and Tom Werner, Liverpool’s main owner and chairman respectively, decide the baggage outweighs the goods with Suarez?

Ferguson thinks that point has arrived and the question must have crossed the minds of the US owners as they formulated a response with its employees on Merseyside yesterday.

Henry and co awoke to a new development in the Suarez controversy: the criticism was on their doorstep.

The Boston Herald carried a report condemning Liverpool and an article in the New York Times opened with the line: “If the Fenway Sports Group is to be the responsible team owner in soccer that it has proved to be in baseball, it needs to get hold of Liverpool, its club in England’s Premier League, and repair its global image fast.”

A positive if belated step has been taken and it now falls to Suarez to present a convincing argument to remain a Liverpool player over the final months of the season. A professional, dignified response and Liverpool will have no reservations that he is worth the trouble.

Anything less, any more problems for Dalglish, the owners, those working behind the scenes to protect the club’s reputation and closely with the Anthony Walker Foundation plus other anti-racism groups, and he should be sold at the earliest opportunity.

Guardian Service

Timeline: How yesterday’s events unfolded

2.15 PM: SUAREZ ISSUES APOLOGY:

“I have spoken with the manager (Kenny Dalglish) since the game at Old Trafford and I realise I got things wrong.

“I’ve not only let him down, but also the club and what it stands for and I’m sorry. I made a mistake and I regret what happened.

“I should have shaken Patrice Evra’s hand before the game and I want to apologise for my actions.

“I would like to put this whole issue behind me and concentrate on playing football.”

2.30: LIVERPOOLMD IAN AYRE’S STATEMENT

“We are extremely disappointed Luis Suarez did not shake hands with Patrice Evra before yesterday’s game. The player had told us beforehand that he would, but then chose not to do so.

“He was wrong to mislead us and wrong not to offer his hand to Patrice Evra.

He has not only let himself down, but also Kenny Dalglish, his team-mates and the club.

“It has been made absolutely clear to Luis Suarez that his behaviour was not acceptable.

“Luis Suarez has now apologised for his actions which was the right thing to do. However, all of us have a duty to behave in a responsible manner and we hope that he now understands what is expected of anyone representing Liverpool Football Club.”

3.30: DALGLISH SAYS SORRY

“To be honest, I was shocked to hear that the player had not shaken hands having been told earlier in the week that he would do.

“But as Ian said earlier, all of us have a responsibility to represent this Club in a fit and proper manner and that applies equally to me as Liverpool manager.

“When I went on TV after yesterday’s game I hadn’t seen what had happened, but I did not conduct myself in a way befitting of a Liverpool manager during that interview and I’d like to apologise for that.”

4.08:MAN UTD ACCEPT APOLOGIES

Manchester United thanks Liverpool for the apologies issued following Saturday’s game.

“Everyone at Old Trafford wants to move on from this. The history of our two great clubs is one of success and rivalry unparalleled in British football.

“That should be the focus in the future of all those who love the clubs.”