"It's a clear dive" - Manchester United legend insists Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah should've been booked for diving against Chelsea

Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah deserved to be booked for diving during their 2-1 victory over Chelsea at the weekend. The Englishman explained that the attacker intentionally initiated the contact and threw himself to the ground in a bid to win a penalty kick.

The most anticipated Premier League fixture of the weekend featured Liverpool and Chelsea locking horns at Anfield yesterday (Sunday, October 20). Not long after the game kicked off, Salah made a plea for a penalty kick after falling off a contact with Levi Colwill in the box.

Referee John Brooks rightly turned down his plea as replays showed that there was no foul on him and Reds boss Arne Slot was booked for his protest on the sidelines. However, Gary Neville feels that Salah should've also been booked for diving.

“Just watch Salah, what he tries to do is initiate the contact," the Manchester United icon told Sky Sports. “It’s unnatural and he throws himself to the ground. He should be booked, why hasn’t he been booked? It’s a clear dive."

Meanwhile, the Reds ended up coming out on top of the contest, with Salah and Curtis Jones scoring on either side of a Nicolas Jackson strike to secure all three points for the hosts.

Despite the victory, Gary Neville doesn't think Liverpool will go on to win the Premier League this season.

"Would these two teams [at Anfield] win the title? I don’t think so," the former Manchester United captain continued. "What Liverpool are doing defensively at the moment is interesting. I’d like to assess it at Christmas. I still think they’re short."

“Chelsea are short, they’re not going to win the league. I think Arsenal are the only team that can take on City. But you can’t afford to fall too many points behind,” he added.

Liverpool currently sit atop the Premier League table with 21 points from eight games, having recorded seven victories and one defeat to their name so far.

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What is next for Liverpool and Manchester United?

Manchester United came from behind to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brentford in their last outing in the English top flight on Saturday. That was their first victory in their last six games.

They would be keen to remain on the winning path when they Fenerbache in the Europa League this Thursday before locking horns with West Ham in league action at the weekend.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are scheduled to go head-to-head with RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday (October 23) before facing Arsenal in another high-profile Premier League face-off at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, October 27.

It is worth stressing that a whopping 10 points separate the Reds from Manchester United in the English top flight at the moment after eight gamweeks. It would be interesting to see how that shapes up as the two sides go about their business as days become weeks and weeks turn months.