• Premier League

Rodgers fires back at Suarez critics

ESPN staff
October 8, 2012
Luis Suarez is a man in focus again © PA Photos
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Brendan Rodgers has leapt to the defence of Luis Surez, with the Liverpool boss suggesting the Uruguayan is being unfairly treated.

Suarez hit the headlines during and after the Reds' 0-0 draw with Stoke, as Potters boss Tony Pulis accused the forward of diving in a bid to win a penalty. That incident drew widespread attention, more so than another incident involving Suarez who was stepped on by Stoke defender Robert Huth.

Pulis has called for Suarez to be sanctioned by the FA, but his manager has come out and issued a staunch defence of the former Ajax man.

"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," Rodgers told the club's official website. "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."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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