Suarez 'can't win' on fouls - Rodgers

Uruguay international Suarez has earned a bit of a reputation in the Barclays Premier League for going down too easily, however the Reds manager insists that's not the case.

Rodgers claims players are facing a no-win situation over penalties, explaining that when Suarez goes to ground he's accused of diving, but if he doesn't the decision goes against him anyway.

"The likes of Suarez has had a couple of good penalty appeals, he hasn't dived, they have been legitimate and he's actually got booked," said the Northern Irishman, referring specifically to the last two matches.

He went down at Sunderland and it looked a clear penalty and he ended up getting booked for it.

Brendan Rodgers

"Last weekend in the Manchester United game there was more contact in his case than there was in Antonio Valencia's and Valencia gets a penalty and we get nothing other than a hard luck story.

"I'm not sure [Suarez's reputation is influencing officials] you'd need to ask the referees but he is a wonderful talent and irrespective of whether he goes down, if it's a penalty, it's a penalty.

"What I have seen, he certainly doesn't ever look like he is going to get a decision and that is something which would bother me going forward.

"It would be a shame if players who respect the rules and managers who are asking players to stay on their feet and not dive are not getting the decisions because of it.

"I think it is important that referees understand that. It has been a criticism of the last few years of players going down too easy - it is not something we want to encourage but if you're not going to get decisions because of it players may do that."

Rodgers insists he does everything possible to make sure his players are genuine - but at the same time is worried that honesty doesn't always pay off.

He has raised his concerns with referees' chief Mike Riley.

"I always send my teams out to be sporting and try to respect everything about the game and ask players not to dive and stay on their feet," continued the Liverpool boss.

"It is how I ask the players to play: we want to win the game but we want to win it by fair means. But by doing that we need to make sure the players don't get punished because that is certainly what is happening from my own eyes.

"To me, in this opening period of the season, it hasn't worked for us. I just said to Mike we have to be careful we don't discourage players and people who don't respect the game.

"I am not one to criticise them (referees) publicly and look to play any sort of mind games to gain an advantage but when it is going against the club I have to speak my mind and that is what I have done."