Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish hopes his team's football will do the talking against Oldham in the FA Cup on Friday night after a week in which the club's off-field actions have made the headlines.
The Reds decided not to appeal Luis Suarez's eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra earlier this week but have faced criticism over the way they have handled the whole controversy.
Dalglish is now keen to focus on matters on the pitch and is looking for a good performance from his side at Anfield on Friday.
"To get back on the pitch after the week we've had on and off it is the best thing we can do," said the Scot.
"It'll be a great time too for our people to show support for one another - for the players to show their gratitude towards the fans for the support they've given us recently and also vice-versa.
"The FA Cup has been undermined in many ways and in many quarters, for varying reasons, but we certainly won't ever undermine it.
"It's a competition that's there to be won so we'll go into the Oldham game with the same attitude and desire as we went into the Carling Cup.
"The Carling Cup is something people have done the same with - undermined and undervalued - but we went about our job as well as we possibly could and we've got our reward for that (with a two-legged semi-final against City starting on Wednesday)."
Dalglish is certain to make several changes for the League One visitors but that does not mean he will take Paul Dickov's League One side lightly.
"We've always said how strong the squad is and maybe it's an opportunity for us to give the people in that squad the gratitude they deserve by giving them an opportunity to start the game," added Dalglish.
"But that's not to say we're undermining or being disrespectful in any way. We'll treat Oldham with complete respect.
"League positions don't matter in cup competitions or in any game. On any one day, any team can beat anyone else.
"If you're not prepared for it mentally and physically, you're going to make it much more difficult for yourself."
Friday represents the Reds' first home cup draw Dalglish has had since taking over almost exactly 12 months ago - his first match in charge was the FA Cup third-round defeat at Manchester United.
"When we've had home draws before that we've not been too successful have we?" he told Liverpool's official website.
"We don't want to rewrite that history. It's going to be difficult because it's a big draw for them to come to Anfield and I'm sure if they lose the game it won't be because of lack of effort.
"We've got to match them for effort and make sure we come out on top."
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