Premier League: Klopp hits back at Guardiola with 'tactical foul' jibe

Pep Guardiola taking a jibe at Liverpool's Sadio Mane has not gone down well with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. During the press conference ahead of Liverpool's Champions League tie with Genk, Klopp chose to defend Sadio Mane stating he is not a diver.

Premier League: Guardiola comments on Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane was booked at Aston Villa on Saturday for an apparent dive before he scored a header in the stoppage-time to secure a 2-1 win for the Reds. Pep Guardiola, speaking after Manchester City's comeback win against Southampton on Saturday, reacted by stating Mane has a special talent for things like these which has helped Liverpool score many late goals.

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It is not the first time Mane has been scrutinised for going down too easily this season. The forward also won late penalties for Liverpool in narrow victories over Leicester and Tottenham last month. But Guardiola's words did not go down well with Jurgen Klopp, who said that he isn't in the mood to talk about Manchester City.

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Premier League: Jurgen Klopp reacts

Jurgen Klopp, however, chose to defend Mane claiming Mane is not a diver. He pointed out the fact that there was contact before Mane went down. He did insist the contact may not be enough to guarantee a penalty but there was contact nevertheless. Liverpool's and Manchester City's games on Saturday concluded almost at the same time and the German was surprised as to how Guardiola could voice an opinion so soon on what had happened at Villa Park.

Despite not wanting to talk about City. Klopp did take a subtle jibe at Guardiola by hinting at tactical fouls that City deploy to stop opposition counters.

Premier League: Liverpool fans react to Pep's comments

Just like Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool fans haven't taken the jibe kindly with many supporters calling out Sadio Mane to a diving celebration right in front of Pep Guardiola should he score when the two sides meet on Sunday in the Premier League.

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