Liverpool boss Rodgers confident Suárez will shake hands with Evra

Brendan Rodgers expects Luis Suárez to shake hands with Patrice Evra when Liverpool take on Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

The pair will meet for the second time since the Uruguayan striker was found guilty of racially abusing the left-back in their 1-1 draw on Merseyside last October.

In the return trip, Suárez – who was banned for eight games by the FA – refused to shake Evra’s hand leading to a volatile atmosphere at Old Trafford.

When asked how sure he was the Liverpool striker would follow the pre-match ritual, Rodgers replied: “Very”.

He added: “I haven’t [spoken with Suárez], to be honest.

“It was an episode that went right the way through last season. It’s a new season, it’s another game, and we’ll look to both sets of players.

“Having worked here with Luis Suárez over the course of these early months, he’s a good guy, he’s a good man, and he’s very strong, so I’m sure there’ll be no problems at the weekend.”

The 39-year-old, who replaced Kenny Dalglish in May, is hoping Liverpool’s luck changes against United as the Northern Irishman looks to record his first league win as Reds boss.

“We haven’t got the rub of the green sometimes in the games but every day our spirit is getting better and stronger the more we get to know each other,” Rodgers added.

“Everyone talks about this style that we’re trying to introduce, what’s even more important for me is the steel in this team.

“We’re starting to see that, and that’ll be important for us going forward.”

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