Rodgers: Reds treatment unfair

Rodgers: Reds treatment unfair

Published Sep. 27, 2012 3:17 p.m. ET

Brendan Rodgers says it has "become obvious" that Liverpool are getting rough treatment from referees - and he has called Mike Riley about it.

Rodgers is unhappy that key decisions have gone against Liverpool and is at a loss to understand why.

The Reds boss, having seen striker Luis Suarez denied what he felt were two penalties in their last two matches, was prepared to bide his time even after Jonjo Shelvey's red card and Antonio Valencia's penalty award against Manchester United on Sunday.

But having been frustrated again by refereeing calls in Wednesday night's Capital One Cup win at West Brom, he felt he needed to put his point across to the head of Professional Game Match Officials Ltd.

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"I rang Mike Riley this morning. I think he was expecting me to call him a bit earlier," said Rodgers.

"It has just become quite obvious, especially after last night's game.

"Jordan Henderson had a horrendous challenge on him and the player was not even booked, yet Andre Wisdom made a really good tackle and won the ball and got booked for it - and there have been a number of incidences.

"Us being a sporting team, and going by the letter of the law, decisions seem to pass us by.

"We've had a few sendings-off, a few penalties given against us and absolutely nothing we've been given at all so I hope that changes.

"We would hope we would get better decisions over the next few weeks."

Rodgers also claims that if Suarez goes to ground he gets accused of diving, but if he stays on his feet he does not get the decisions he deserves.

"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 Rodgers, 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.

"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."

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