TONY PULIS branded Luis Suarez an embarrassment after the Liverpool striker’s latest diving shame.
By PHIL THOMAS
Suarez’s 75th-minute tumble under a challenge from Marc Wilson and Dean Whitehead must go down as the most ludicrous even he has produced.
The Liverpool striker went down and then, as he got to his feet, threw himself down for a SECOND time — without a player near him.
Even some fans on the Kop shouted for him to get up as Liverpool still had the ball at the time, while Whitehead was so open-mouthed that he merely ruffled Suarez’s hair rather than scream in anger.
But Stoke boss Pulis was gobsmacked at the blatant attempt to con a penalty, and blasted: “Retrospective decisions are made on a Monday and Suarez should be punished.
“The one in the penalty box was an embarrassment and how he wasn’t booked I don’t know. It was really, really disappointing and should be highlighted.”
Pulis pointedly chose to praise Glen Johnson for the way he leapt to his feet after a blood-and-thunder challenge with Jonathan Walters — a direct contrast to Suarez’s latest Tom Daley impression.
The Potters gaffer made a point of thanking Johnson for his actions, even though the crowd thought he was having a dig at the England full-back.
Pulis said: “They both went up for a header, it was a full-blooded challenge and Glen did fantastic to bounce back up and get on with it. I went over to him and said ‘Well done’. The crowd thought I was having a go, but his behaviour was first class.”
Kop boss Brendan Rodgers said of the Suarez plunge: “I’ve not seen it so can’t really comment. Whatever Luis does will always be a problem, be it with the media or referees, but he was terrific today.”
Stoke did have six players booked, but it was never a nasty game, and Rodgers — still seeking his first home league win as Liverpool boss — certainly had no problem with their approach.
He said: “It was a physical game but there are no complaints from us. I thought we stood up to it well, even if at times the ref did not quite see it that way and didn’t give some decisions he should have done.
“But I don’t think Stoke were over-physical. They’re a bunch of big men who make it very difficult for you. There’s no right or wrong way to play this game.”I’m disappointed not to win, obviously, but we stood up to the real physicality of it, which was a big bonus.”
