Liverpool have insisted that the decision to apologise about Luis Suarez's refusal to shake Patrice Evra's hand did not come from their shirt sponsors.

The club and the player have been mired in controversy ever since the Uruguayan was found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Evra during the 1-1 draw at Anfield earlier in the season.

The £24m striker caused further uproar after dismissing Evra during the pre-match handshake at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Reports suggesting that the club were forced to apologise by Standard Chartered, who pay the Reds £20m per year to sponsor their jerseys, have been dismissed by the Merseyside outfit.

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

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

Suarez was banned for eight matches after being found guilty of racial abuse by an independent FA panel.