LIVERPOOL, England -Kenny Dalglish has leapt to the defense of Blackburn manager Steve Kean as Liverpool's Luis Suarez prepares for his first Anfield game since receiving an eight-match ban from the Football Association.

Suarez (pictured), who is set to appeal the suspension for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, is still eligible to play as his ban has yet to come into force.

The Uruguay striker featured in the goalless stalemate with Wigan on Wednesday - the day after the suspension was announced - and is again set to play against Blackburn, the Premier League's bottom club, on Monday.

But there will be just as much attention on beleaguered Kean as there will be on Suarez after a dreadful run of form which has left Blackburn fans calling ever louder for the manager to be sacked.

Earlier in the season Kean said he was willing to meet disgruntled fans to outline his plans for the future.

But the Scot now believes his safety could be at risk if such a meeting took place.

Liverpool manager Dalglish, who masterminded Blackburn's Premier League title success in 1995, admits the situation at his former club is 'sad' but believes Kean needs support - not abuse.

"They are under a lot of pressure and the frustration is understandable in many ways," said Dalglish. "But I don't think it is helpful and I think it is sad really that it has come to that, but that is the way it is."

Agence France-Presse