LUIS SUAREZ admits he dived earlier this season to try to win a penalty against Stoke City – but has dismissed claims he deliberately handled before scoring in Liverpool’s FA Cup tie against Mansfield Town.

And the Uruguayan has reiterated his claims that Manchester United “control” the national media in their favour.

Suarez was roundly criticised for a clear dive in the area during Liverpool’s goalless draw against Stoke back in October, an offence spotted by referee Lee Mason although no card was awarded.

It was one of several controversial incidents to have blighted the 25-year-old’s Anfield career, the most recent of which was when he was accused of cheating after the ball struck his hand before scoring in the 2-1 FA Cup third round win at non-league Mansfield 10 days ago.

And Suarez, speaking to Argentina television, said: “I don't listen to all the nonsense some people say about me. I'm accused of cheating here. People say I throw myself all the time inside the box.

“Let's see: they said that when we played against Stoke, for instance, and in that case they were right. I invented a foul because we were drawing against Stoke and I wanted to win.

“Sometimes on the pitch I say to myself, "What have I done?" But the name of Suarez sells papers.

“The other day, for instance, I touched the ball with my hand accidentally, and I was criticised because I kissed my hand.

“The media make up a lot of things about me because they want to sell papers. I say to the media: you should talk more about football, not about other stuff.”

Suarez also couldn’t resist another dig at Premier League leaders United, whose perceived power he was unhappy with in the wake of the race row with Patrice Evra.

“When someone comes and says to me something bad about being a South American, I don't cry, because that happens inside the pitch,” added Suarez.

“I have my conscience clean. But as I have said: Manchester United controls the media, they are powerful and the media will always help them.”

Suarez also rejected suggestions Liverpool have grown dependent on his talents, with the striker having netted 19 goals already this season.

“I can help Liverpool today,” he said. “We are united and we can play well. Liverpool doesn't depend on me.

“It's complicated to play here in England. As Carlitos (Carlos Tevez) and Kun (Sergio Aguero) has said, it's complicated for a South American footballer to be here as we are treated differently to the local footballers.

“But they have their culture, they are like this, you know. I have to play football, which is what I always wanted, but I have suffered a lot for being a footballer.”