Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has hit out at criticism over Luis Suarez's apparent diving antics, claiming "every single club has an issue" with player 'simulation'.
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The Uruguay international has copped plenty of flak for going to ground easily, an issue which has been hotly debated in the Premier League this season.
However, Rodgers feels Suarez is being singled out by the other managers in the top-flight, most recently Everton boss David Moyes ahead of last weekend's Merseyside derby.
And the Reds boss claims each English club has the same issues to deal with.
"I believe this will be the ongoing debate, and now people will see that diving is an issue which is at every club - it is widespread within the game," Rodgers said.
"It is ridiculous to single out one man, because every single club has an issue."
Angel Rangel and Phil Neville both went into the referee's book last weekend for diving, as did Fernando Torres, although replays showed that call to be slightly controversial.
However, Rodgers believes the fact that two players were booked for faking a foul in one weekend should be enough to lift the blame off Suarez.
"Just look at last weekend, and two players you would deem to be great professionals - Angel Rangel and Neville - almost above criticism," added Rodgers.
"Rangel was booked against Manchester City for diving but I worked with him for two years at Swansea and he's one of the most honest, genuine people I've come across in my life. But he got booked for diving.
"Neville is 35 and over the years you would consider him to be a really honest guy, an impeccable professional.
"But then he gets booked for diving after his manager has read the riot act to his players by all accounts. Then you have Fernando Torres booked for diving.
"So managers have made a criticism of Luis, but I can guarantee you they will have players who are criticised for diving.
"Hopefully people won't continue to vilify Luis just because he was the easy target before, and look beyond themselves and their own players to see it's part of the game.
"Of course we don't like it when it's blatant and personally I believe we must continue to fight to eradicate that. But it is nonsense to suggest it's just a problem with Luis Suarez."





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