Suarez could have played against City on Tuesday, Oldham on Friday and City again in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg a week from Wednesday.
The Guardian reports LFC manager Kenny Dalglish told a press conference that the club wanted to put the whole affair behind them as quickly as possible and move.
“He could have played for a fortnight but he has to serve eight games at some stage and this time is as good as any, isn’t it?” Dalglish asked. “It was better to get the situation over and done with.”
At this point, Suarez’s ban will last through LFC’s home game against Tottenham on Feb. 6. It rules him out of both legs of the Carling Cup semifinal. The Reds see the competition as arguably its best chance to win a trophy this season.
If Liverpool defeats Oldham in the FA Cup, as expected, it will play a fourth-round game later in January. Suarez would then be available to face Tottenham. The star forward will be rested and available for selection when Liverpool visits Manchester United on Feb. 11.
Had LFC waited until after the Carling Cup game and decided not to appeal, Suarez would have missed the Tottenham and United games. He also would have sat out the Merseyside derby on Feb. 25 and possibly Arsenal’s visit on March 3.
Instead, Suarez will be available for LFC’s crunch games in February.
Should Liverpool Have Waited to Decide to Appeal Luis Suarez’s Ban?
Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.
