Reds stand behind Suarez

(Getty Images)

Liverpool and Manchester United were on course for a bitter dispute last night with the Anfield club ready to demand that Patrice Evra be banned if his claim that Luis Suarez repeatedly racially abused him prove to be unsubstantiated.

With the FA expected to seek Manchester United's permission to speak with Evra today, as it launches its investigation into the Frenchman's allegations, one post-match witness from the Anfield players' tunnel said the defender had remained "very angry" 20 minutes after the game, when he and Sir Alex Ferguson visited the match officials' office to report that Suarez had called the player "the n-word" at least 10 times during the 1-1 draw.

But Liverpool insist the Uruguayan had done nothing wrong and it is the seriousness of the allegation which has led them to expect the FA to ban Evra if his claims prove unfounded. "Luis is adamant that he has not used language of that nature and the club is totally supportive of the player," a club spokesman said.