Trevor Sinclair blasted Mo Salah for the manner in which he went to ground during Liverpool’s 2-1 win against West Ham on Saturday evening, as he told talkSPORT on live commentary.
Liverpool had fallen behind to a Pablo Fornals strike at Anfield before referee Kevin Friend judged that Arthur Masuaku fouled Salah inside the penalty area – he levelled from the spot before Jota sealed all the points after the break.
It was a gutsy performance from the Hammers, who were without star man Michail Antonio, but in the end, the champions had too much for them.
But former Man City and West Ham winger Sinclair was critical of Salah and how he won the penalty and claimed it’s something he does ‘time and time again’.
“It’s a very, very slight contact for me,” Sinclair said. “He has gone down very easily. But Mo Salah is going to do that.
“I think you have to be careful when you go into them challenges. If you aren’t 100% sure you are going to get the ball then stay goal side, get your teammates around you and just delay him.
On the manner in which Salah went to ground: “We have seen it time and time again. Mo Salah will do that. Very fortunate. I don’t think there was a lot of contact there. If I had given that penalty away, I would have been remonstrating to the referee straight away. There was no contact.
“I don’t think the linesman even put his flag up. It’s a poor penalty decision for me.”
Amid Liverpool’s defensive problems and constant injury problems, one thing that isn’t going away is the form of Salah.
If Jurgen Klopp is to win back-to-back titles then his Egyptian speedster on the wing, along with Sadio Mane on the other flank, are crucial in whether another trophy will be added to the Anfield trophy cabinet this season.
Liverpool’s recent form – and that win against West Ham last night – will also help because, despite defensive and injury problems, they are still putting the points on the board and currently sitting top of the pile.
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