Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp defends Mohamed Salah over West Ham 'dive' claims

German says he does not understand criticism of the striker as 'there was clear contact'

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scores their first goal against West Ham from the penalty spot at Anfield on Saturday, October 21. Reuters

Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah goes down in the area after a challenge by West Ham's Arthur Masuaku that led to the penalty. Reuters

Diogo Jota celebrates scoring Liverpool's winner. Reuters

Diogo Jota scores Liverpool's second goal against West Ham. Reuters

Diogo Jota, centre, celebrates with Liverpool teammates after scoring. AFP

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates with Georginio Wijnaldum after the win. Getty

Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold takes on West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna. Getty Image

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane slides into and fouls West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski during a goal-mouth scramble in which Diogo Jota put the ball in the net but the goal was disallowed following VAR review. AFP

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah battles for possession with Angelo Ogbonna. Getty Images

A member of staff cleans a corner flag at half time. Reuters

Mohamed Salah scores from the penalty spot to equalise for Liverpool against West Ham. Reuters

Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring the equalising goal for Liverpool. AP

Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool runs with the ball under pressure from Declan Rice. Getty Images

West Ham''s Arthur Masuaku puts in a cross as Trent Alexander-Arnold attempts a block. Reuters

West Ham's Pablo Fornals celebrates scoring the opening goal against Liverpool. AP

West Ham players celebrate Pablo Fornals' opening goal against Liverpool. PA

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has dismissed criticism Mohamed Salah has received for the incident in which he won a penalty in Saturday's victory over West Ham.

Hammers manager David Moyes labelled the Egypt international's fall under a tackle from Arthur Masuakua as a "dive" despite the defender making contact.

Salah picked himself up to slot home the spot-kick to equalise just before half-time and that allowed Liverpool to go on and win 2-1 to extend their unbeaten home league run to a record-equalling 63 matches.

“It’s not the sort of football I want to be involved in," said Moyes after the game.

“I think our player stops and throws his arms up because he’s so disappointed about the dive. I’m just disappointed they didn’t turn the decision around."

There has also been criticism of Salah's actions from several pundits, former players and media commentators over the weekend but Klopp was at a loss to explain it.

"What can I say? It was a foul. It was for pretty much everyone who saw it," said Klopp, speaking ahead of their Champions League game against Atalanta on Tuesday. "Believe it or not, I spoke to Mo yesterday morning how he feels and he said he has three knocks and one was from the penalty situation.

"We don't talk much about penalties we don't get yet two days later we are talking still about one we did.

"There was clear contact. So no, I don't understand the criticism."

Klopp, however, was happier with the injury news coming out of the squad ahead of the Group D clash against Serie A side Atalanta.

Joel Matip and Naby Keita have returned to Liverpool first-team training but manager Juergen Klopp is yet to decide if both will be available.

In the last two matches he has had to field the inexperienced Nat Phillips and teenager Rhys Williams at centre-back because of injuries to Virgil Van Dijk, Matip and Fabinho.

"Naby and Joel trained yesterday with the team, full, Thiago [Alcantara]  didn't. So, that's the situation," Klopp said.

"I have really no idea what I do with this information in the moment because yes, they trained, that's good, it's better than if they don't train. But we have to see what we do with it.

"We have another day to make these decisions. A lot of players will be on the plane hopefully, and so decisions will be made late, late, late."

Atalanta, renowned for their high-octane pressing style under manager Gian Piero Gasperini, defied expectations last season to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

Klopp said Atalanta are Liverpool's "biggest challenge in Europe so far" and compared the Italian outfit to Premier League rivals Leeds United.

"With all Atalanta have done in the last few years, they are a settled team and they are very difficult to play against," Klopp said.

"They are similar to Leeds in the way they set-up. They are a proper fighting unit. They have all our respect and I know how good they are."

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Gallery: Liverpool's 63 unbeaten games at Anfield