LONDON. (AFP) – Mohamed Salah was engulfed in a diving storm as the Liverpool star won the controversial penalty that inspired their 2-0 win over 10-man Crystal Palace on Monday night.

Salah was accused of diving by Palace when he tumbled in the penalty area late in the first half at Selhurst Park. Referee Michael Oliver awarded a spot-kick for Mamadou Sakho’s challenge on the Egypt winger and James Milner converted the penalty.

Adding insult to injury for Palace, Salah was involved in another controversy in the second half when he went to ground after a challenge from Palace defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was sent off even though there was minimal contact. Taking advantage of their numerical superiority, Jurgen Klopp’s side then made sure of extending their 100 percent start to the Premier League season thanks to Sadio Mane’s goal in stoppage-time.

After Manchester City’s swaggering demolition of Huddersfield on Sunday, it was important for Liverpool to keep pace with the champions, even at this early stage of the season. This was a statement win for Klopp’s team, installed as City’s most likely challengers, and they move into second place after building on last weekend’s rout of West Ham. Palace have had a habit of upsetting Liverpool in recent years, famously denting their title bid late in 2014 and winning three times at Anfield over the last four seasons.

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