Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has accused Liverpool forward Sadio Mane of diving ahead of the crunch clash on Anfield this coming Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp has guided Liverpool to the summit of the Premier League table after an incredible start to the new season. The Reds are still the only unbeaten team in England’s top flight and are six points clear of 2nd placed Manchester City ahead of the visit of the defending champions to Merseyside on Sunday.
Manchester City, as well as Liverpool, secured dramatic late victories on Saturday, as the Reds earned a vital 2-1 win against newly promoted Aston Villa thanks to a late winner from Senegalese superstar Sadio Mane.
Although the two sides have midweek Champions League commitments to negotiate before the showdown at Anfield, Guardiola has looked to stir the pot ahead of the big game after he took a swipe at Senegal forward Mane by claiming he attempts to trick referees after he was shown a yellow card for simulation at Villa Park.
The Spanish manager took a swipe at the 27-year-old Liverpool forward and explained, “Sometimes he [Mane] is diving; Sometimes he has this talent to score incredible goals at the last minute. He’s a talent.”
Liverpool earned a crucial three points to maintain their title pursuit and keep Manchester City at bay thanks to goals from Andrew Robertson and Sadio Mane against Aston Villa.
After 11 games in the Premier League season, Liverpool has 31 points but the only time that Klopp’s side lost a game last season was against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
