Suarez accepts FA charge

Liverpool’s Luis Suarez has accepted a charge of violent conduct from the Football Association in light of the Uruguayan striker’s bite on Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in the 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday.

A three-match suspension usually follows such a charge, but given the severity of the incident, a longer ban is expected to be handed down following a meeting of a regulatory commission on Wednesday.

However, it is expected that Suarez will contest any further punishment, after denying that the standard punishment is insufficient for the offence.

The 26 year old was handed a seven-game suspension following a similar incident during his time at Ajax.

Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher has come out in support of Suarez, saying the Reds top scorer should be “helped, and not hounded”, giving examples of other Liverpool legends whose behaviour at times fell below standard.

The Reds vice-captain, who is set to retire at the end of the season, referred to himself once throwing a coin into the crowd at Highbury, as well as offences committed by Graeme Souness, Robbie Fowler, Jan Molby and Steven Gerrard.

Elsewhere, it has been confirmed that club captain Gerrard will undergo shoulder surgery at the end of the season.

The 32 year old, who has played every minute of Liverpool’s Premier League campaign this season will be available for the final four games, but is set to miss England’s friendly internationals with the Republic of Ireland and Brazil on May 29th and June 2nd respectively.