Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp defended his players but stating there are no ‘divers’ in the squad.
Controversy has surrounded the Anfield side after the past two fixtures against Newcastle United and Arsenal. Mohamed Salah’s alleged dive against the Magpies was even pulled into question by the FA, the Egyptian being ruled free of punishment in the end.
In the 5-1 fixture against Arsenal, Salah was brought down again inside the opposition box and referee awarded the hosts a penalty. Many, including Sokratis Papastathopoulos, was unhappy with the decision.
Speaking to the press regarding the two incidents, Klopp said, “Look, I’m three years in (at Liverpool). And of the few things I read in the English press is the Ref Watch on Sky after the game. Not a lot of times have I thought ‘That was a penalty’ and then looked at it to find it was not the right decision. Dermot Gallagher said (after Newcastle), ‘penalty.’ His arm was there.”
“Do we need blood for a proper penalty? I think no. In that moment, if you don’t touch Mo and he makes the next step and shoots – and we know he’s pretty good at that – these are the situations.”
Klopp further added, “I haven’t seen it back (with Sokratis) and I have no clue about what happened around it but the ref really was close to it. We don’t have divers and that was not a dive. The other one is not a dive. The ref decides it.”
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