Kenny Dalglish has again hailed Liverpool‘s strength in depth but their challenge for a top-four place (7/4) could be hit hard, after the FA dished out an eight-game ban to star striker Luis Suarez on Tuesday.

Suarez was finally charged by the FA after an independent panel found him guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra back in October.

The Reds are furious with the outcome and plan to appeal the decision, which could rob them of their key striker for a large chunk of the second half of the season.

If Suarez’s ban is upheld, the likes of Andy Carroll, Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt will be relied upon to find the goals to help Liverpool maintain their challenge for a top-four place, and Dalglish is confident there is quality right throughout his squad.

“In someone else’s eyes some people may have made a greater contribution than others, but they all have a part to play and we look forward to everyone being fit and then we have a problem picking the team,” he said.

“For us we just come into work, practice what we preach and try to carry it on to the pitch and every single one of the lads in the squad have made a contribution. Their contribution will be needed over the coming weeks because the games are coming thick and fast.”

Liverpool travel to the DW Stadium to face Wigan on Wednesday (Match Betting - Liverpool 8/15, Wigan 6/1, draw 14/5), fresh from their 2-0 win at Aston Villa on Sunday.