Liverpool: We got it wrong

Liverpool finally bowed to widespread criticism with a flurry of apologies which they hope will draw a line under the Luis Suarez racism affair.

Reds manager Kenny Dalglish and managing director Ian Ayre confirmed in separate statements that Suarez had misled them by indicating that he would shake hands with Manchester United defender Patrice Evra – who he had racially abused in October to incur an eight–match ban.

Suarez snubbed the Frenchman prior to kick–off in the Saturday lunchtime encounter.

Suarez also issued an apology for his conduct, with Manchester United rounding off the day's developments by accepting the Reds' statements of regret.

Racism in football will be discussed at a Downing Street summit meeting, with Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt describing Suarez's actions as "depressing", but both the club and the Uruguayan must be hoping that their contrition yesterday will take the heat out of the issue.

Wayne Rooney scored two goals in the space of three minutes at the start of the second period to put United well on their way to victory.

Suarez netted for the visitors to set up a tense final 15 minutes for United, but they saw out the game and took three points.