Agger: Liverpool's focus on football

Suarez to appeal against ban, but Uruguayan's misconduct charge not a distraction for supportive teammates.

Daniel Agger, the Liverpool defender, believes the most important thing is to win football games – whatever their situation may be off the pitch, such as the suspension of teammate Luis Suarez.

Daniel Agger, the Liverpool defender, insists that football remains the most important matter for the players despite their very public show of solidarity for teammate Luis Suarez.

The whole squad issued a joint statement prior to a goalless draw at Wigan on Wednesday night, pledging their support for the Uruguay international who is facing an eight-match ban if an appeal against his misconduct charge proves unsuccessful.

Wigan fans chanted "racist" and "cheat" in reference to Suarez. However, Liverpool's players took to the field for the warm-up wearing T-shirts featuring Suarez's image on the front and his name and the No 7 on the back.

The club, who issued a hard-hitting statement criticising the English Football Association's handling of Suarez's case, have adopted a siege mentality since the ban was handed down.

Agger, however, said the players need to focus on matters on the pitch while Suarez is out.

"That is not on our mind. We are playing football and that is most important, we don't think about that stuff," said the Denmark international. "The squad is together, that is the way it is.

"Of course, it is second nature to back our friend but the most important thing is to win football games. It just wasn't a big success at Wigan."

Suarez's lawyer in Uruguay has already said the player will lodge an appeal but he has not been involved in the process and Liverpool's legal team will make the final decision but cannot make a move until they have seen the written verdict from the independent regulatory commission, and they are not expected to receive it for another few days.

After receiving the papers, the club have 14 days to appeal.