Ian Ayre drove the apologies from Liverpool on Sunday, it has been revealed.

The Daily Mail says the word inside the club is that Ayre realised Liverpool needed to publicly clarify their position over Suarez as soon as the unseemly incident took place on Saturday lunchtime. He waited until Sunday afternoon before acting to take the emotion out of the situation.

Ayre discussed with manager Kenny Dalglish what had to happen after the match and told chairman Tom Werner on Saturday night what the club would be doing. The statements were sent to FSG in Boston before being released. No wording was altered or influenced by the Americans.