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Brendan Rodgers Wants ‘Vilification’ of Luis Suarez to Stop, Manager Defends LFC Star

Brendan Rodgers has described the treatment of Luis Suarez as “wrong and unfair” after the striker came under heavy criticism following Sunday’s draw with Stoke.

While much has been made of Suarez going to ground in the final stages of the game, very little has been said about the striker suffering bruising to the chest after an incident involving Stoke City defender Robert Huth.

The Liverpool boss believes it’s now time for Suarez to be treated the same as every other player in the league and called for an end to the hysteria that currently surrounds the player.

“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.”