Lucas: Luis won't be bothered
Liverpool talisman Luis Suarez will use any hostility from the home support at Old Trafford on Sunday as extra motivation, according to teammate and friend Lucas Leiva.
The Uruguayan goes in search of his 20th goal of the season against Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United, with the Reds' No.7 enjoying his finest goalscoring form since arriving at Anfield.
Aside from the pocket of travelling Liverpool fans, there'll be little crowd support for Suarez on Sunday - but Lucas has no concerns about how that will affect his colleague.
"I don't think it will bother him," the Brazilian midfielder explained to the Independent.
"He gets it at every stadium that he goes to, so this is just one more for him. I think he copes very well with that, and if people still criticise him for everything and he keeps on scoring goals I don't think he'll be worried about it.
"Of course it's not nice to see a player, a friend, get that amount of abuse but that's the way it is.
"He's a strong character and he's showing everyone the quality he has on the pitch. That's the most important thing at the moment.
"I'm very close to Luis. He's a family man, he loves his daughter and his wife and he's with them all of the time and looks after them and concentrates on his football career.
"He's very nice, very open, but I understand sometimes why he's not too open [with the media] because of the way he gets treated. I just think sometimes he tries to protect himself and that's the best way. I don't know if it hurts, I never ask him.
"That's the strong character that he has and maybe instead of it being a negative thing it could be a positive thing. A lot of players like the boos and it gives them that bit extra."
Lucas watched from the stands as the Reds were cruelly beaten by Sunday's opponents earlier in the season, but warned that growing momentum can reverse the result this time around.
The 26-year-old added: "We lost and had a few concerns about the game, we had Jonjo [Shelvey] sent off, which didn't help, then the penalty, and at the end of the day that was crucial for the result.
"But we had a lot of chances.
"It was at the start of a new season, with a new manager and a few players coming in and some leaving, but even against Manchester United and Manchester City we showed we're capable of competing against these big teams.
"Of course, the start was not ideal, but afterwards we improved and have good momentum now."
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The fan favourite was part of the side which dismantled United 4-1 at this ground in 2009, though, and acknowledged the added importance of fixtures against the Red Devils.
"It was a very important game and probably one of the best wins at Old Trafford for Liverpool," he said of the victory four years ago.
"In these big games, if you play well people give you credit, so I always try to get really focused.
"Being here for a few years, I know exactly what it means for Liverpool and Manchester United. Of course we have Everton in the same city, but Manchester is for sure the biggest rival and it is a special game to play."