Rodgers focused on helping Suarez

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is focusing on Luis Suarez's rehabilitation while the club decide whether to appeal against his 10-match ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.

Reds officials, who received the written report of the independent disciplinary panel, have until midday today to opt to contest a punishment Rodgers described as "severe". The Northern Irishman, speaking before the report arrived, was also critical of the intent to punish and not re-educate in the panel's ruling.

That is something the club will address with the help of renowned sports psychologist Dr Steve Peters, who has been working one day at the club's Melwood training ground most of the season. Rodgers said: "That is something which remains in confidence and private to ourselves but we will be able to put in place the various needs in order for him to get that help,"

He added "As managers we look after the technical and physical side but the wellness and mental side of players can sometimes get overlooked.

"It is a very important aspect of modern life and he will have all the help in order to improve and make that behaviour not happen again."

Rodgers denied Suarez had a serious mental flaw in his make-up - even though the player had no explanation for his actions last weekend.

"In modern life, whether you are a footballer, plumber, joiner, bricklayer, work in a warehouse, you are not immune to issues and problems," he added.

"All we are saying is that whatever the behaviour issue is we will do everything we can to support that person and that person is now Luis Suarez.

"I asked Luis what was he thinking and he couldn't answer it. This is just an impulsive, inherent thing which came at that moment.

"The world-class talent he is, which has wowed many people with his breathtaking qualities this year, there is that little wire in his brain which sometimes makes him act differently and that is what we are trying to help make sure doesn't happen again."