Let’s draw a line under Luis Suarez row says Liverpool FC manager Kenny Dalglish

Feb 9 2012 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo

KENNY DALGLISH insists the time has come to draw a line under the Luis Suarez race row ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Manchester United on Saturday.

The Reds striker is guaranteed a hostile reception at Old Trafford as he prepares to face United for the first time since serving an eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra.

Suarez, who made his comeback against Tottenham on Monday night, has said his “conscience is clear” and warned the boos will only “spur me on”.

Dalglish, who confirmed Suarez will shake hands with Evra and all the United players, is keen to ensure a highly-charged fixture is remembered for all the right reasons.

“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 said.

“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. It’s time for all of us to draw a line and move forward.

“People are already speculating on the pre-match ceremony, but from Luis’s point of view we have spoken to him and I know he will shake the hand of Patrice Evra and the other Manchester United players before the game.”

The Premier League have no plans to cancel the pre-match handshakes at Old Trafford.

A precedent was set when QPR faced Chelsea in the last round of the FA Cup. The pleasantries were cancelled in an effort to ease tensions due to John Terry’s charge of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, an allegation the Chelsea captain denies.

But the Premier League believes cancelling them at Old Trafford on Saturday would negate the point of having the tradition in the first place.