Wigan v Liverpool: Solidarity on show as Suarez starts.
The Liverpool team for tonight’s visit to the DW Stadium includes Luis Suarez and is solidly behind Luis Suarez. Maxi and Kuyt for Bellamy and Shelvey are the only changes.
This is the statement the squad released collectively this evening:
We totally support Luis and we want the world to know that. We know he is not racist. We are a squad of many different nationalities and backgrounds. All of us support the Club’s commitment to fighting racism. All of us accept there is no place in the game for any form of discrimination. As a group of players we totally support the Kick it Out Campaign.
We have lived, trained and played with Luis for almost 12 months and we don’t recognise the way he has been portrayed. We will continue to support Luis through this difficult period, and as a popular and respected friend of all his teammates, he will not walk alone.
Liverpool’s response to the charges has been strong and clear – Luis Suarez is not a racist and the club, the players and the fans are behind him as he fights to clear his name. The FA’s Kick Blatter Out campaign continues, but Luis Suarez and Liverpool will not be used as pawns in that battle of football’s outdated governing bodies.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Downing, Henderson, Adam, Maxi, Kuyt, Suarez.
Subs: Doni, Kelly, Coates, Carragher, Shelvey, Bellamy, Carroll.