Reds will not sell fined Suarez

Published Apr. 22, 2013 9:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

Tony Mowbray admits Middlesbrough's play-off hopes were dashed by their poor record away from the Riverside Stadium.

The Teessiders were riding high in the Championship table at the turn of the year, but have slipped out of contention since with just three victories in 19 games.

While their home record is their best in 15 years - they have collected 41 points from their 22 fixtures at the Riverside Stadium to date - they have managed only five wins and 17 points on the road.

Mowbray told the club's official website: "Some of the performances have more than warranted it, and yet we can't hide from the statistics.

"Our home record is as good as we have had for a number of years and if we had a half-decent away record, we would be in the play-offs.

"We have found it difficult and everyone will have their own opinions on why. It's too late now, the season has two games to go and we have got to try to get the six points."

The Liverpool striker can expect a long ban once a Football Association investigation into Sunday's incident is complete, and he has already been fined by his club.

But, according to Anfield managing director Ian Ayre, Suarez will remain at the club until the end of the long-term deal he signed last summer.

Asked whether the Uruguayan's actions would affect his Liverpool future, Ayre said: "Not at all. It affects his future in the sense that we have to work with him on his discipline - but Luis is a very important player to the club.

"He's a very popular player with his team-mates. As we keep saying, he signed a new four-year contract last summer and we'd all love to see him here throughout that contract.

"He's a fantastic player, top scorer and everything we'd want in a striker, so there's no change there. This is more about getting him back on the right track and it's largely down to Brendan Rodgers now to work with him on that side of his character."

Suarez, 26, has apologised for his "inexcusable behaviour" after the incident during Sunday's 2-2 draw at Anfield, which saw him tangle with Ivanovic in the penalty area midway through the second half and bite the defender on the arm.

Referee Kevin Friend did not see the incident and the Football Association is set to open an investigation into the matter on Monday, while Sky Sports sources understand Ivanovic will not press charges.

Liverpool have already fined Suarez, on whose request the money will go to the Hillsborough Family Support Group.

The Uruguayan wrote on his Twitter page: "For my unacceptable behaviour the club has fined me.

"I have asked the club to donate the money to the Hillsborough Family Support Group for the inconvenience I have created to the Liverpool fans and to Ivanovic."