Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre believes that there has been too much focus on Luis Suarez following the striker's dive against Stoke City over the weekend.

The Uruguay international was highly criticised for diving in the penalty area during a goalless draw with the Potters at Anfield on Sunday.

Ayre believes that the attention given to the forward is partly down to last season's racism row, when Suarez was handed an eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

"I think it's reputation because of what happened last season," Ayre told Sky Sports News. "Now everything Luis Suarez does is in the spotlight, but if we are going to treat people because of something they do on the pitch then we should treat everybody equally.

"I am not saying that anyone in particular is targeting him, what I am saying is if there is going to be a debate, whether it's a media debate or other, then it has been to be a fair one about everybody and not about Luis Suarez which seems to be the case."

Meanwhile, Suarez has revealed that he is not concerned with the criticism targeted at him.