Diogo Jota slammed for ‘f***ing embarrassing’ dive to win Liverpool penalty against Newcastle
Jamie Carragher was among the many voices to hit out at Diogo Jota's decision to go to ground to win Liverpool a penalty.
The Portuguese star was part of the Reds' side who ran riot against Newcastle, racking up a staggering 34 shots in a 4-2 win at Anfield.
While Mohamed Salah missed a penalty before shining in his final match before heading to the African Cup Of Nations, it was his second penalty that was controversial.
The spot kick was won when Jota rounded Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, leaving the goal at his mercy.
However instead of slotting home with his left foot, the forward went down before subsequently being awarded a penalty which Salah converted.
Liverpool's dominance in victory couldn't be argued, but according to Carragher, Jota's decision to go down was bizarre.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said: «He doesn’t need to go down, just carry on.
“There’s the slightest touch – it doesn’t knock him off (balance), it’s there just to be put in with his left foot. He’s gone down far too easily.
“Is there contact? You could argue there’s not any contact, maybe the slightest piece of contact but I can’t believe that a player would go down when they’ve got an empty net to put the ball in. I can’t fathom that.”
Carragher wasn't the only big footballing name left baffled by Jota's decision to go down.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright wrote: „Would rather go down for a penalty than put the ball in an empty net! Seen it all!“
Replying to Wright's comment, Alan Shearer wrote „f***ing embarrassing,“ before replying to a Liverpool fan by saying: „You battered Newcastle and should have scored more goals but clear dive for that pen.“
Adrian Durham, talkSPORT's lead live football anchor, said: „Shouldn't be given — Stockley Park
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