Garth Crooks urges Jordan Henderson to have a behind-the-scenes chat with Liverpool ace

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Garth Crooks has claimed in his BBC Sport Team of the Week column that Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson should look to stage a behind-the-scenes chat with Reds superstar Mo Salah – after his theatrics against West Ham United.

Salah, 28, took his tally to seven goals in seven Premier League games and eight in all competitions, as he struck a penalty down the middle of the West Ham goal past Lukasz Fabianski – as the Reds went on to win 2-1.

Pablo Fornals had put West Ham ahead, only for Salah to equalise and Diogo Jota score late on. It saw Liverpool return to the top of the Premier League table – but criticism has come Salah’s way, after he won the penalty.

Facing away from goal, Arthur Masuaku applied the pressure on Salah and there is contact. However, Salah throws himself to the ground as if he has been shot. Crooks has urged Henderson to have a word with Salah, picking the captain in his TOTW.

“I didn’t think it was a Liverpool penalty at the time and I still don’t,” Crooks said. “I have criticised Mo Salah in the past for going down in the box when not touched. I’ve no doubt contact was made but as far as contact sports go, that was no foul.

“I wonder if Henderson might have a gentle word with Salah to remind him that he has placed himself among the Liverpool greats – and not to spoil it with cheap nonsense like diving.”

TBR’s view – Retrospective punishment for diving?

If Salah goes down under the challenge of Masuaku naturally, then we do not have this discussion. But Salah has chosen to make it as obvious as possible to the referee and to VAR that there was contact – though minimal – from Masuaku.

The only way we are going to stop diving is to increase the punishment. Retrospective punishment would be the ultimate deterrent. Should there be an incident such as Salah’s, players should be handed a ban. It makes complete sense.