Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson believes that Luis Suarez will appeal the 10-match ban handed to him by the FA for biting Branislav Ivanovic.

Following the incident that took place during the 2-2 draw between the Reds and Chelsea on Sunday, England's governing body hit the Uruguayan with a lengthy suspension that sees him ruled out of the rest of the season as well as the first six games of the next campaign.

While Lawrenson feels that the Merseysiders are likely to appeal his punishment, he is certain that Suarez will not be sacked by the club.

"I think they will appeal and might get it to eight. He's now becoming a constant offender. There's probably a sheet of A4 paper with all his offences over his career," Lawrenson told BBC Sport. "He needs to learn quickly. It's distracting for everyone. Even if it gets reduced to eight, that's 20% of the season. Liverpool are going to have to make a decision on his future.

"He and Ivanovic had a few niggles before the incident but nothing really seriously untoward. Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard said maybe he needs some help - he obviously does. At the moment it's to the detriment of the football club. You wonder what he will do next.

"It [Suarez leaving Liverpool] is a possibility. But any business where you have an asset worth £30m or £40m, nobody is going to sack him."

Suarez previously received an eight-match ban after racially abusing Patrice Evra in November 2011.