‘Time and again’: Graeme Souness slams Liverpool star Mo Salah for ‘diving’

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Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool midfielder, Graeme Souness, has slammed Reds forward Mo Salah for what he called a ‘totally unnatural way to fall’ when the Egyptian won his latest penalty against West Ham.

Salah duly got up off the deck to convert the spot kick just before half-time in what proved to be a decisive moment in the game just before the break for the second week running at Anfield.

But Souness, who was watching the game from the Sky studio, moved to criticise Salah rather than applaud his good play, calling the Liverpool man out for diving.

“I don’t give that if I’m a referee in the Premier League. I’ve seen Salah do this time and time again,” Souness said. (quotes taken from the Daily Mail)

“This is totally an unnatural way to fall. Look, he doesn’t actually kick him, the West Ham player makes contact with his ankle. I think it’s careless and given an enormous invitation for Salah to throw himself to the ground. For me I think it’s a really harsh penalty and that’s coming from a Liverpool supporter.”

It’s not the first time Salah has come under the microscope for going down easily under challenges. However, with VAR now in place and penalty decisions often reviewed, it is little wonder the Liverpool man tries it on.

Souness, mind, was fuming and did not look happy, despite fellow pundit Micah Richards trying to pin the blame on Hammers defender Masuaku.

Souness is right but this is just football now – TBR View

It’s so frustrating to watch, especially if you have grown up watching the game and remember a time when this sort of stuff didn’t happen.

You expect more in terms of respect for the game, especially from a top earner in the Premier League – Salah earns a reported £200k-a-week at Liverpool.

Sadly, this is just the way the game has gone and as long as refs continue to give penalties, players will continue to dive.