Liverpool's managing director Ian Ayre has revealed that the club are both "shocked" and "disappointed" by the severity of Luis Suarez's ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

Despite the fact that he had issued an apology for his actions and had accepted a violent conduct charge, the Football Association decided to punish the Uruguayan by handing him a 10-match suspension this afternoon.

The 26-year-old has until 12pm on Friday to appeal against the decision and in a short statement on the club's official website, Ayre hinted that it is something that the club may consider.

"Both the club and player are shocked and disappointed at the severity of today's Independent Regulatory Commission decision," read the statement. "We await the written reasons tomorrow before making any further comment."

It is the second time that Suarez has been handed a lengthy ban by the FA, having sat out eight matches between 2011 and 2012 for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.