TEAMtalk delves into the ongoing row between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra and criticises the Liverpool striker for allowing the feud to fester.

This was supposed to be the end of it. The day when a line was finally drawn under the Luis Suarez/Patrice Evra affair.

Even Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, the Uruguay international's staunchest defender in the wake of the race row which exploded last October, thought it would be the final chapter in a saga which has rumbled on for far too long.

However, with the movement of one hand - away from the Manchester United defender - Suarez ensured there remained plenty of criticism, recrimination and bad feeling to follow.

Dalglish had spoken in the week about his hopes for the focus to be on football in the clash at Old Trafford. No chance.

"It's time for all of us to draw a line under what happened and move forward," said the Scot on Thursday.

"People are already speculating on the pre-match ceremony but from Luis's point of view we have spoken to him and I know he will shake the hand of Patrice Evra and the other Manchester United players before the game."

If Dalglish had indeed spoken to Suarez it appears something was lost in translation - which was where this row had started with the South American arguing the words he had directed at Evra were not offensive in his homeland.

Evra, to his credit, offered his hand to Suarez during the pre-match formalities and when it was refused he attempted to force the issue by grabbing the arm of his opponent.

Suarez shrugged him off and then found himself blanked by Rio Ferdinand as the simmering tensions between the two teams threatened to boil over.

That they did in the tunnel at half-time when Evra reportedly tried to confront Suarez, provoking a melee which attracted the interest of stewards and police, is no great surprise.

Despite all the talk trying to play down Suarez's first encounter with United since completing his eight-match ban having been found guilty of racial abuse there was always likely to be a flashpoint.

Part of the blame for it coming before the match had even kicked off must be laid at the door of the Premier League, who decided the handshakes would go ahead despite their being recent precedent for cancellation.

A fortnight ago they were abandoned ahead of Chelsea's visit to QPR in an effort to ease tensions due to John Terry's charge of racially abusing Rs defender Anton Ferdinand, an allegation the Chelsea captain denies.

Had they been aware of the intentions of Suarez, who clearly still feels he has been wronged and has no inclination to make up with Evra, maybe they would have selected a different option.

But the player's propensity for attracting controversy - he was banned for seven matches while playing for Ajax after biting an opponent - reared its head once again at Old Trafford.

Suarez had the opportunity to put the matter with Evra to bed and considering his performance against United, which even though he scored was ineffectual and often petulant and lacking in focus, he maybe should have done.

For reasons known only to him he chose not to and, despite his manager's wishes, ensured the post-match discussion was not about football.

By Carl Markham