The former striker believes retrospective punishments would send out a “real message” as it would deter players from play-acting and would quickly eradicate the issue

Former Newcastle and Tottenham forward Les Ferdinand has insisted that plans to review video footage and issue strong bans would “eradicate” diving from the Premier League.

The Football Association are currently discussing the option of using video replays to retrospectively punish players after matches, something that could come into force next season.

The 46-year-old believes that the introduction of such initiatives would be a successful way of combating the “ugly” problem that has become a big talking point in football.

“

If you ban these divers for a few matches then that will soon eradicate this problem,” he told The Sun. “It is becoming part of the game and it really needs to be a problem we are well rid of — and this would help do that.

“Let’s face it, diving is rearing its ugly head every week or so. And what we have to do is get back to when people would only go down if they were on the end of a hard tackle.”

Numerous players have been accused of diving this season but some of them, like Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, who has been booked five times for simulation, insist they are just trying to avoid injury and not win a free kick.

Spurs coach Ferdinand defended players in the Welshman’s situation, and insisted that video evidence would enable the FA to single out the “blatant” divers.

He continued: “There is one problem — that is when players are running at such pace that they need to jump out of the way to avoid serious injury.

“That’s a separate issue. So it’s about making sure retrospective action just targets the blatant dives. They are the ones we are talking about that need to get stamped out.”

The ex-England international, who is among the top-10 highest all-time Premier League scorers with 149 goals in 347 appearances, then reiterated his claim that bans would sent a strong message while quickly addressing the issue.

“What it would do is send out a real message to the divers,” he added. “It says — it doesn’t matter who you are or who you play for, you have to be banned if you’re guilty of diving.

“I believe most problems in life can be solved by tackling them head on.”

The Reds boss believes 18-year-old’s recent dip is down to the club’s busy fixture schedule and highlighted the need to “nurture” the youngster’s prodigious talent

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says he “expected” Raheem Sterling to plateau after an explosive start to life in the club’s first team squad.

The 18-year-old made his debut for the Reds last March but Rodgers has stepped up his exposure this term, affording him 23 Premier League appearances to date.

However, after an initial return of two goals and three assists before the turn of the year, Sterling has failed to carry his form in 2013 – a fact which Rodgers says is natural for a young player.

“This is a kid we’re talking about so we have to take a wee step back,” Rodgers told The Guardian.

“What he’s done since he stepped onto the pitch against Bayer Leverkusen in a friendly to Manchester City [for his league debut] as a 17-year-old, I dare you to look around Europe and tell me a 17-year-old who has made such an impact in one of the big leagues. There aren’t many.

“It is so mentally and physically draining this league. It hurts experienced professionals and this boy has just stepped up from the academy and played first team football and earned a contract off that.

“We have to nurture that and at times he’s got to have that mentality to keep learning.”

The former QPR trainee’s drop in form and the January arrivals of Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho have led to him being used more sparingly in recent weeks, starting just five of the Reds’ last 14 games.

Nevertheless, only the Merseyside club’s two most influential players – Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez – have featured more than the teenager this season, and Rodgers noted that the youngster’s contribution cannot be underestimated.  

He continued: “I was talking to him the other day about this, and if he didn’t kick another ball this season he’s had a good one. It’s a very physically demanding league and what you’re seeing now is more tiredness of the legs when before he could go up to people and take them on.

“That zip has gone and that’s down to fatigue. Was that to be expected? Yes it was.

“He will have experienced that before but not in the limelight like it is now. He’s made such an impact that everyone is looking at him now. But the job is to nurture him.

“He’s started his career at first-team level way before many get the opportunity. He’s still got lots of improvement to make in his game. Over the years we will look at his plan and development and act accordingly.”

The Liverpool goalkeeper says he has a great relationship with the manager despite reports suggesting that the Spaniard could be on his way out of the club in the summer

Pepe Reina has praised the coaching of Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers and insists he is happy working with the Northern Irishman.

The 30-year-old shot-stopper has struggled in his eighth season at Anfield, suffering a dip in form that has led to speculation that he could be on his way out of Merseyside.

But the Spaniard does not believe Rodgers’ methods have affected his form, and has lauded the former Swansea manager’s tactics and approach to the game.

“I have a great relationship with him,” Reina told LFC TV. “We have a lot of ideas in common and the way we see football is quite similar.

“Our understanding about tactics and feeling for football is very similar. I’m very happy with our manager.”

Reina was also full of admiration for the philosophy Rodgers is instilling, and believes the Reds, currently in eighth place in the league table, are capable of becoming a great side.

“It’s about learning and he’s certainly making sure we learn every day in training about ways to win,” the Madrid-born keeper continued.

“That’s important because at the end of the day, what you want to do is win.

“If you play good football, you’ll definitely be closer to winning more games. That’s where we are and my relationship with the manager is very good.

“If the players follow the philosophy we’ll definitely become a great side – a difficult and strong side to beat and a competitive one.”

Although Reina has always been adept at playing the ball out from the back he still feels that the change to a more possession-based style of football has had an impact.

“There is no doubt that I am more involved with my feet than before, but so is the whole team,” he added.

“The amount of passes in every game is higher and higher compared to last season. It’s a different style and I am happy with it.”