Liverpool’s star striker Luis Suarez has constantly found himself in the headlines since his arrival at Anfield almost two years ago but has more often than not obtained the backing of his manager for his controversial actions on the pitch.
However, after a media interview in South America where the Uruguayan put the record straight about his diving antics, it wasn’t music to Brendan Rodgers’ ears.
Suarez admitted in an extensive interview to Fox Sports Argentina that he attempted to win a penalty earlier in the season against Stoke by “falling” in the box.
Rodgers retaliated to his talisman’s comments saying, “I think it is wrong. It is unacceptable. I have spoken to Luis and it will be dealt with internally.
He further set the record straight that Liverpool FC doesn’t condone cheating.
“It is not something we advocate. Our ethics are correct.”
Although confessing he dived to help his team win the match, Suarez reiterated throughout the interview that the English media are out to get him.
“Sometimes on the pitch I say to myself, “What have I done?” But the name of Suarez sells papers.”
The Liverpool number 7 first caught the headlines in a negative light when he was handed an eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.
He didn’t help his cause on that occasion as he refused to shake the defender’s hand when the two clubs locked horns again, which drew Suarez and the club wide-spread negative publicity.
More recently, he was accused of intentionally handling the ball before netting Liverpool second goal in their 2-1 win over non-league Mansfield in the FA Cup.
In an attempt to silence his critics he responded “I touched the ball with my hand accidentally, and I was criticised because I kissed my hand. I say to the media: you should talk more about football, not about other stuff.”
There is no denying the abilities of the Uruguayan International. Luis Suarez has scored five goals in his last four games and his next goal will be his 20th of the season for the Reds. He is also on the verge of making history at the weekend as they play host to Norwich on Saturday afternoon. No Liverpool player has ever scored three league hat-tricks against the same club.
No doubt he’ll be hoping to hit the headlines for the right reasons this weekend, proving his worth to manager to Brendan Rodgers and silencing his critic’s by letting the football do the talking.
