Kenny: It's time to look forward

KENNY DALGLISH admits it is time for Liverpool to move on from the Luis Suarez saga.

Suarez retains the full backing of both Dalglish and the club as he faces up to the reality of sitting out eight matches for being found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra.

The Reds have decided not to appeal against the FA's punishment and King Kenny is keen to focus on when the striker will be available again.

He said: "He has an eight-game punishment and he has to serve it so I suppose now is as good a time as any.

"I think it was better to get the situation over and done with and leave it there.

"Luis is a fantastic player and fantastic person so we he will be missed but we just have to get on with it.

"It is not better to miss him at any time — we'd much rather have him but we don't."

The loss of Suarez, who has been Liverpool's best player since he joined almost 12 months ago from Ajax, can be offset slightly by the return of captain Steven Gerrard.

But Dalglish maintains he is in no rush to throw Gerrard back into the starting line-up after two months out with an ankle infection.

He added: "Stevie is improving his level of fitness all the time but we have to be very careful as to how he prepares.

"It would be wrong of us to be negligent and throw him in and undo all the good work he has done so far.

"We would love to have him back fit and well but we just have to be a bit patient."