Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool,Andre Villas-Boas has hit back at Gary Neville's

David Luiz: Has been heavily criticised

The Chelsea (Blues) manager Andre Villas-Boas has hit back at Gary Neville's "ridiculous" criticism after the former Manchester United fullback said David Luiz looked like he was being controlled by a ten-year-old on a Playstation during the Blues 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday
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 Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool

Centre-back Luiz was part of a Chelsea defence that failed to deal with Liverpool goalscorers Maxi Rodriguez and Glen Johnson at Stamford Bridge and have now conceded 11 goals at home this season - only Premier League strugglers Bolton and Blackburn have shipped more.

Chelsea's leaky defence has been much criticised following four defeats in 12 games this term and Brazilian defender Luiz, a £21 million signing from Benfica, has bore the brunt.

Following Sunday's home defeat, Neville, now a Sky Sports pundit, said Luiz's gung-ho, all-action style left him out of position made it look like the former Vitoria defender was being "controlled by a ten-year-old in the crowd on a Playstation."

But in his post-match comments Villas-Boas, whose position as a manger has come under close scrutiny in the press, jumped to the defence of his much-maligned defender and rounded on Neville.

"Gary Neville was a fantastic defender but it is a stupid approach to an opinion," the Chelsea manager said. "If that's the way he wants to take the game that is ridiculous."

Villas-Boas went on to insist that he his job is safe despite Chelsea's worst start to a season under Roman Abramovich.