Liverpool denied reports they’d apologised for Luis Suarez’s conduct at Old Trafford as a result of pressure from shirt sponsors Standard Chartered Bank.

Suarez sparked fresh uproar last weekend when he refused to shake the hand of Patrice Evra, having only recently returned from an eight-game ban for racially abusing the Man. United defender.

Liverpool subsequently apologised for Suarez’s conduct but, having steadfastly supported their forward up until that point, there were suspicions they had been pressured into taking action by Standard Chartered, who are currently half-way through a four-year deal worth £81 million.

However, Liverpool insisted that managing director Ian Ayre and manager Kenny Dalglish had not been prompted by anyone from outside Anfield.

“Ian Ayre kept Standard Chartered fully informed of developments over the course of the weekend,” said a Liverpool statement.

“The actions the club decided to take on Sunday were supported by Standard Chartered.”