With hearing resolution nearing, Kenny Dalglish sides with Luis Suarez

Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool manager, reiterated his support for Luis Suarez on Thursday as the Uruguayan striker's disciplinary hearing over allegations of racist abuse continued.

Dalglish declined to comment directly on the charges embroiling Suarez, who is accused of racially abusing Patrice Evra, the Manchester United defender, during a game at Anfield in October.

Dalglish reaffirmed the club's determination to fight the allegations against Suarez, who could face a substantial ban if found guilty.

"We have said many times before we cannot say anything which will be prejudicial," Dalglish said. "We are standing right beside him and helping him as much as we possibly can ... As I said last week, the FA [Football Association] should have given you [the media] the information when everything was happening, not us."

Evra told French television immediately after the October 15 clash that Suarez had used a racist insult "at least 10 times".

Evra reported his complaint to Andre Marriner, the match referee, who included it in his report. The FA formally charged Suarez last month with using "abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour" towards Evra.

"It is further alleged that this included a reference to the ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race of Patrice Evra," said the FA.

The Daily Telegraph reported that the three-man panel conducting the hearing is likely to issue its ruling on Friday, and that Suarez will admit using the word "negro" once, arguing that it was intended as a descriptive expression and is not deemed offensive in his native Uruguay.

Liverpool are expected to attempt to cast doubt on the veracity of Evra's allegations by citing the official report into a 2008 scuffle between the French international and Chelsea ground staff, which branded the defender's testimony "exaggerated and unreliable".