Steven Gerrard has advised Luis Suarez to shake hands with Patrice Evra before Sunday's clash between Liverpool and Manchester United.
Liverpool striker Suarez was found guilty last December by an independent regulatory commission of racially abusing United defender Evra, and banned for eight games by the Football Association.
The Uruguayan attacker, who denied the charge against him, then refused to shake French defender Evra's hand when the teams played at Old Trafford in February.
Sunday sees the clubs meet in the Premier League at Anfield, in Liverpool's first home match since publication of the report of the Hillsborough Independent Panel.
The report absolved the club's supporters of any responsibility for the 1989 disaster, which claimed 96 lives, and criticised South Yorkshire Police.
It promises to be an emotional occasion after years of campaigning by Liverpool supporters for 'Justice for the 96'.
Parties including United manager Sir Alex Ferguson have urged supporters of the clubs, who share one of football's great rivalries, to behave, amid concern some of the cruel chants about the Hillsborough stadium tragedy and Munich air disaster which have surfaced in the past could feature again.
Liverpool captain Gerrard headed into the match hoping that Suarez and Evra would show that both sides can leave their previous differences in the past.
"I think those two players could be the key," Gerrard told The Observer.
"The handshake is at the beginning of the match and they've got a responsibility to start the day off on a good note.
"I will speak to Suarez and my advice will be to shake hands and move on. Suarez will make his own decision. Of course he will. But I'd like to think he would want to move on himself."
Gerrard made his own call for calm, saying: "I'm sure the Liverpool and Manchester United fans know what the right thing to do is. There's a big game of football and a lot at stake at the weekend. But this is more important than football, what we're talking about.
"We all love football because of these rivalries. That can't stop. But there's a line."
Update:
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what do you think?
Phil Tanner
Let the talking point be about the football and the respect shown by both set of supporters !
Darryl Edwards
Oh Orange I didn't realise Suarez was found guilty !! When are you going to stop I think the world and his wife know this by now
Philip Handley
Evra is an overpaid child playing in a mans game and should be ashamed of himself for behaving in such a childish manner. Grow up Evra and start earning your over inflated wage packet. You should make donations to those who would put it to far better use than you ever could except to fashion your own selfish ends.
fish41
Evra, Suarez just give each other a big HUG. Each of you know the "truth" --just get on with it. First tackle could be good though!
Mathew Turner
7:35am on 23/9/2012
To be fair this is only a big deal coz the media keep talking about it.. Today is about the victims of a gross misjustice not 2 babies who threw there dummies outta there prams..
dillyhilly
8:18am on 23/9/2012
Spot on comment mate