Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson questions Liverpool’s stance over Luis Suarez race row

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has questioned Liverpool’s stance over the Luis Suarez race row, insisting the Anfield outfit should have appealed the striker’s eight-game suspension if they believed their player was innocent.

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The Uruguayan is set to come face to face with Patrice Evra for the first time since October, when the former Ajax man was reported to the FA by the Frenchman for allegedly making racist remarks towards him.

Suarez returned from the ban in the 0-0 draw against Tottenham on Monday night, after which boss Kenny Dalglish suggested the 25-year-old should not have been punished in the first place.

"They've said plenty, haven't they?" said Ferguson. "Why didn't they appeal?

"We've kept our dignity throughout. We've kept our counsel. That is the right thing to do in these situations.

"We'll keep it that way, too, and just concentrate on the game.

"That is not our domain [the furore surrounding Evra and Suarez]. There is nothing we can do about these things."

Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Saturday, two weeks on from the FA Cup fourth round clash between the pair, in which Dalglish’s men won 2-1 thanks to a late Dirk Kuyt goal.

During the clash at Anfield, Evra was jeered throughout, but Ferguson has no concerns over his captain’s ability to deal with any negative crowd reaction.

"Patrice has handled it well,” Ferguson added. "I don't think he enjoyed the abuse he got at Anfield but it happens.

"Gary Neville had it for 15 years. Wayne Rooney gets it when he plays against them. We expected that and so did Patrice."