Im always forgetting how to do this. Dont set the password for the linux account postgres, instead set the password for the postgres user in psql.
sudo -u postgres psql postgres
# In psql prompt
\password postgres
# Enter your password
Now when you want to connect to psql use the following command
psql postgres -U postgres
See my other article on setting it up with the current user so your not messing around with the postgres user
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