Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has hit back at critics of Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan dived to try and win a penalty during the Reds’ 0-0 draw with Stoke City at Anfield on Saturday.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis labelled Suarez “an embarrassment” for the second half dive, diverting press attention from an overaggressive game by his side in the efforts to win a point.
Earlier in the game Stoke defender Robert Huth had stamped on Suarez’s chest after bringing him down inside the visitors’ half.
“As manager of this football club I find it incredible that in nearly all the coverage about Luis Suarez this weekend, very little focus has been placed on the fact that he was actually the victim of a stamping incident within the first five minutes of the game,” said Rodgers.
“At this moment there seems to be one set of rules for Luis and another set for everyone else.
“Diving and simulation is obviously a wider issue in football and one that we all agree has to be eradicated from our game but there were other incidents this weekend that didn’t seem to generate the same coverage.
“No one should be distracted by the real issue here, both at Anfield and at another game played on Sunday, when Luis and another player were hurt in off-the-ball incidents that went unpunished but were caught on TV cameras.
“I believe some people need to develop a sense of perspective and I also believe in this moment the vilification of Luis is both wrong and unfair.
“I will continue to protect the values, spirit and people of this great club and game while searching for a consistent level of results in order to make progress on the field.”
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