Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has insisted that Sunday’s match against Manchester United should not focus on the handshake situation between Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez.

When the teams met in February, Luis Suarez’s refusal to shake the hand of Patrice Evra stole the headlines, but Ayre has stated that in light of the independent Hillsborough disaster verdict last week, the issue between the two players is not an issue he is concerned by.

“We will be doing a handshake as normal,” Ayre told talkSPORT. “As regards to the Luis Suarez-Patrice Evra thing, I think it’s just a non-story for this day. Despite what the media says, nobody has gone and told Luis Suarez what to do.

“I think those players, like every other player on the pitch that day and everybody in the stadium, will recognise this isn’t a day to talk about who is going to shake whose hand. This is about everybody being together for a much more important cause.”

With Liverpool playing their first home game since the independent panel’s report into the 1989 stadium disaster, Ayre has called for the focus to be shifted towards fans who wish to pay their respect.

“It will be an emotional and big game for everybody,” Ayre continued. “Obviously this is our first home game since the announcement and findings, and it’s a great opportunity for our fans to pay their respects and in many ways for everybody to pay respect to our fans.

“As much as the families and everyone else fought for this, it goes without saying that our fans have stuck with them and helped with that support throughout, so it’s an important day for everyone.

“This is about using the stage to show the world how important this was and how important an announcement it was.

“It’s ironic really that it comes with our biggest game of the season so that is in some ways quite nice because the world will be watching.”

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that  Joe Cole has returned to training with the first-team squad, but Lucas Leiva is still some way off a return to match action.

Cole has not featured for the Reds after aggravating a hamstring injury against West Brom on the first day of the season, with Lucas tearing a thigh muscle in the opening stages of the 2-2 draw against Manchester City at the end of August.

Rodgers told the club’s official website: “Joe is back in training with the group. He’s still going to need a wee bit of time before he’s anywhere near a game.

“He’s been out for a few weeks now, so he needs a few weeks’ training and a game or two below his belt before we can even consider him for the first team because he’s broken down twice now and we need to manage that along.”

Lucas is not expected to return until next month at the earliest, but Rodgers is positive about the progression of the Brazilian’s recovery.

He said: “Lucas is doing very well. He’s working every day, working hard with the medical team.”

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has written a letter to his side’s traveling supporters for their game against Liverpool on Sunday urging an end to tensions between the two clubs.

Relations have been strained over recent years, with last season’s controversy surrounding racist abuse between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra creating an unsavoury atmosphere amongst fans.

Incidents of United fans standing in the way of gangways at away visits had prompted Liverpool to reduce ticket allocations for the Red Devils, a situation about which Sir Alex had previously spoken out.

After the publication of a report earlier in September exonerating Liverpool fans of responsibility for the deaths of 96 supporters at the Hillsborough disaster of 1989, and with a history of distasteful chanting about that tragedy to taunt the Anfield side, the Scot appealed to the better judgement of his team’s following.

“Our rivalry with Liverpool is based on a determination to come out on top – a wish to see us crowned the best against a team that held that honour for so long,” Sir Alex wrote in a document that will be handed out to all fans in the away end at Sunday’s Premier League match.

“It cannot and should never be based on personal hatred.”

More to follow…

Sir Alex Ferguson’s letter in full…

Dear Supporter,

The great support you gave the team here last season has seen our allocation back up to near-full levels. I want you to continue that progress today.

But today is about much more than not blocking gangways. Today is about thinking hard about what makes United the best club in the world.

Our rivalry with Liverpool is based on a determination to come out on top – a wish to see us crowned the best against a team that held that honour for so long.

It cannot and should never be based on personal hatred. Just 10 days ago, we heard the terrible, damning truth about the deaths of 96 fans who went to watch their team try and reach the FA Cup final and never came back.

What happened to them should wake the conscience of everyone connected with the game.

Our great club stands with our great neighbours Liverpool today to remember that loss and pay tribute to their campaign for justice. I know I can count on you to stand with us in the best traditions of the best fans in the game.