Dietmar Hamann: 'Liverpool should have suspended Luis Suarez'

Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes that the club could have sent out a stronger message by banning striker Luis Suarez for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

The Merseyside outfit issued a fine to the striker, who bit the arm of Ivanovic during Sunday's 2-2 draw at Anfield, but the Football Association responded with a 10-match ban.

While manager Brendan Rodgers has suggested that the length of ban was too excessive, Hamann has called on the club to accept it and move on.

Hamann wrote on Twitter: "Suarez was always going to get six games plus. Would it not have sent out a stronger message if the club suspended him for two weeks? It would show him and everybody else who plays for the club in the future what LFC is all about - respect and dignity.

"If you think Suarez is victimized by the FA, don't forget he wasn't told to bite Ivanovic. Pointless arguing about the length of the ban. Suarez got eight games last year and he was always going to get more for that. Accept it and get on with it.

"I support and respect LFC. I'm not slamming the club but the conduct of one of its employees."

Liverpool have until midday tomorrow to respond to the charge.