Brendan Rodgers says Dejan Lovren meant no harm when he caught Mame Biram Diouf with an errant elbow on Sunday.

The Liverpool defender was booked after an aerial tussle with the Stoke City striker which prompted Potters boss Mark Hughes to call for a red card for the Croatian international.

However, Rodgers felt it was simply a contested situation which happens dozens of times throughout a match, absolving his player of any blame or malice.

"As the ball is in flight, Dejan is looking like he is trying to get his ground," said Rodgers.

"Arms are coming up and unfortunately he has hit him in the face. It was certainly not intentional.

"He is not that type of player."

The Reds saluted 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium courtesy of a long range stunner from Philippe Coutinho in the 86th minute.