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Liverpool FC legend Jan Molby expects FIFA to throw the book at Luis Suarez after the Uruguay striker appeared to bite Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.

FIFA have launched an investigation into the flashpoint during the South Americans’ 1-0 victory in Group D which went unseen by Mexican referee Marco Rodríguez.

Live: Luis Suarez in new 'bite' storm at World Cup - latest reaction

It looks set to be the third time Suarez has been banned for biting an opponent. He was hit with a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic at Anfield in April 2013.

Prior to moving to Anfield, he was suspended for seven matches for biting PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal in November 2010.

“When it happened I did a double take,” Molby told the ECHO.

“I was waiting for the angle to show that he didn’t bite him. That would have been easier for Luis Suarez, for Liverpool and for football in general but it never arrived.

“I’m shocked. The more you see it, the worst it looks. It’s another incident where it’s impossible to defend Luis Suarez.

“For him to do it in such a high profile game, I’m sure FIFA will make an example out of him.

“Obviously his World Cup is over and I would expect FIFA to give him a long international ban.

“It’s a massive blow not only for Luis Suarez but for Uruguay’s hopes of going any further as he’s theitr best player by some distance.”

Watch: Luis Suarez could face FIFA ban after appearing to bite Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini

Molby says Suarez needs psychological help but he doesn’t believe the incident will have any impact on the striker’s club future.

Barcelona have been heavily linked with a bid for the 27-year-old reigning Footballer of the Year. But Molby can’t see Liverpool being in any rush to sell Suarez.

“He has done it twice before and he clearly has a problem,” Molby added.

“I’m sure Liverpool will be devastated by what they’ve seen. You don’t want to see one of your players behaving like that.

“They obviously gave him help after what happened with Ivanovic and he appeared to have combated his demons.

“Brendan Rodgers got the best out of him and Suarez’s disciplinary record last season was excellent. But this was very similar to the Chelsea incident.

“I fully understand that burning desire to win in elite sport. Suarez gets himself into states during games.

“At 0-0 Suarez felt that his World Cup dream was slipping away and in that situation your mind goes through all sorts.

“Most people would never follow through with those sort of thoughts as it involves foul play but there are times when Luis Suarez doesn’t seem to be able to contain himself. He reacted and now he will pay the price.

“People will refer back to the last World Cup when he was also involved in controversy with the handball against Ghana but those kind of things happen in games.

“Biting should never happen on a football field and this is the third time he has done it.

“Whatever Liverpool do now they will criticised. Some people will say they should wash their hands of him but there’s no chance of that. He’s their only genuinely world class player.

“I certainly wouldn’t say there’s more chance of him being sold. If anything it might put clubs off trying to buy him.

“I would keep Suarez, no matter what he’s done. Even if Liverpool got £80million for him it would be difficult to replace him as there are very few players around with that kind of ability.

“It’s always the same in football - something happens and people talk about moral standards. The bottom line is that Luis Suarez is of huge value to Liverpool and this latest incident doesn’t change that.”

Suarez focuses on next opponent as he swerves bite controversy in post-match interview

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