24 October 2023 , 08:23
580
0
Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah has been told to "have a word" with Luis Diaz to try and get his team-mate to stamp out the theatrics from his game.
It was an impressive weekend's work for Salah after the Egypt international was on hand to score both goals in the Reds' hard-fought 2-0 victory over Merseyside rivals Everton at Anfield. The game didn't always look like it would fall in the hosts favour, but the Toffees could only hold on for so long after Ashley Young's first-half red card.
Jurgen Klopp's men can consider themselves fortunate that they weren't also reduced to 10 men, with Ibrahima Konate already on a yellow card when he fouled Everton forward Beto. Minutes later, Salah stepped up from the spot to make it 1-0 before adding a second late on to put the result beyond any doubt.
While it was by no means Salah's most impressive outing, his ability to make the difference for Liverpool on such occasions is what makes him invaluable. Someone who did not enjoy such a performance was Diaz, who has come in for criticism from BBC pundit and ex- Manchester United man Garth Crooks.
The pundit was full of praise for Salah and even named the 31-year-old in his team of the week, but was less glowing about Diaz. Crooks has called for Liverpool's leading marksman to ask his Colombian colleague if he could spend less time rolling around on the turf.
Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected
"Referee Craig Pawson’s inability to show some discretion in the Merseyside derby exposed him once he failed to exercise any consistency," he told BBC Sport. "Neither was it helped by Luiz Diaz who rolled over at least five times for dramatic effect after Young had fouled him.
"Meanwhile Mo Salah is back to his brilliant, unselfish and supportive best and has erased the sort of antics now affecting Luiz Diaz. It’s time Salah had a word with Diaz."
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Salah encourage Diaz to cut out the theatrics from his game? Comment below
Luis Diaz has been told he spends too much time on the floorAs mentioned by Crooks, it wasn't so long ago that Salah himself was facing criticism for his own tendency to fall to the floor at the faintest of touches. Now, he is facing calls to demand others stamp it out of their game.
For now, however, Salah's main focus is likely to be on prolonging his fine form. It has been a stellar start to the season in front of goal for the forward, with the ex-Chelsea man now sitting on eight goals across all competitions so far this term.
Up next for Klopp's side is a home clash with Toulouse in the Europa League group stages. There's every chance both Salah and Diaz are rested for the tie, in which case their next outing would most likely come next sunday at home against Nottingham Forest.