Jurgen Klopp baffled by criticism of Mohamed Salah, who has ‘proper knocks’ from tackle which resulted in Liverpool penalty vs West Ham

1 month ago 1

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp cannot fathom the criticism directed at Mohamed Salah for the way he won a penalty in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat of West Ham.

The Egypt forward fell to the ground under a tackle from Arthur Masuaku shortly before half-time, with Hammers boss David Moyes accusing the Reds forward of ‘diving’ despite the defender making contact.

Salah went to ground after contact from West Ham defender Masuakugetty

Salah stepped up to take the penalty to draw Liverpool level on the night, as substitute Diogo Jota struck a late winner to extend Liverpool’s unbeaten home league run to a record-equalling 63 matches.

The 28-year-old has since been heavily criticised by several pundits, including talkSPORT’s very own Tony Cascarino.

Writing in his column for The Times, Liverpool supporter Cascarino said he ‘hated to see Mohamed Salah dive’ to win his penalty, and branded the Egyptian’s antics as ‘an insult to Nobby Stiles and the game he loved’, the day after the 1966 England legend’s death.

And Cascarino reiterated those beliefs on Monday’s talkSPORT Breakfast.

The Egyptian made no mistake from the spot to make it 1-1 at AnfieldGetty Images

“I have a real problem that officials do not see forwards instigating fouls,” he said. “I do not get how referees cannot see how forwards instigate the contact – it’s a big problem,” said Cascarino, who admitted he’ll stop watching football soon if it continues.

“Mo Salah did it, it was minimal contact and he went down. I’m a Liverpool fan but I’m thinking, how can that be a penalty?!

”If this game continues, and the way penalties are going, in 2030 if football is going to continue in this vein, I’m not going to be watching it, I’m really not. That’s how I feel, and I think there are fans who feel the same way.

“We’ve lost some great footballers this year who played in different eras, and I don’t want to sound like a dinosaur – I don’t want to be Cascasaurus – but if we keep going down this road of players looking for contract and penalties are still being given, the game is in trouble!”

Klopp, however, leapt to his player’s defence when speaking to the media ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash against Atalanta – which is LIVE on talkSPORT!

“It was a foul. It was for pretty much everyone who saw it,” the German talkSPORT.

“Believe it or not I spoke to Mo about how he feels. He has exactly three proper knocks on his foot and one of them is from the penalty situation. That’s how it is.

“We don’t talk that long about penalties we don’t get in other games.

“It’s two or three days after that and there was clear contact, so what can I say? No, I don’t understand the criticism.”