Football: Salah did not dive against West Ham, has marks to prove it, says Reds boss Klopp

Mohamed Salah went down in the penalty area after a clumsy challenge from Arthur Masuaku. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

LONDON (REUTERs) - Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has hit back at accusations Mohamed Salah dived to win a penalty in Saturday's 2-1 win over West Ham United, saying the Egyptian striker was fouled and has the bruises to prove it.

Salah went down in the penalty area after a clumsy challenge from Arthur Masuaku. He then stepped up to score the penalty that helped Liverpool draw level.

West Ham manager David Moyes was upset with the decision to award a penalty but Klopp was in no doubt Salah had been fouled.

"Pretty much everyone who saw the situation thought it was a foul," Klopp told British media, adding that he had spoken to the striker about his fitness.

"He has exactly three proper knocks on the foot and one of them is from the penalty situation.

"We don't talk much about the penalties we don't get but now two days after we are talking about this. There was clear contact. I don't understand the criticism."

Victory thanks to a late Diogo Jota strike took reigning champions Liverpool to the top of the table with 16 points from seven matches.

Liverpool face Italian side Atalanta in the Champions League later on Tuesday (Nov 3).

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