Lee Bowyer has claimed that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been smart with his comments on Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s crunch clash at Anfield.
The Spaniard recently suggested that Reds’ star man Sadio Mane can dive to win a handful of decisions, something that Jurgen Klopp fired back at not long after.
Charlton boss, Bowyer, admitted that Guardiola’s accusation will have caught the attention of the referee, Michael Oliver, who will now be paying even closer attention to the Senegalese international.
“What Pep’s doing, which is really clever, is that he’s warning the ref,” he said on Sky Sports’ The Debate.
“The ref will now be looking out for Mane, so if he does get in that situation, it might then make the ref re-think and think ok, well he’s dived there.”
Liverpool can extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points with victory at Anfield on Sunday.
Does Sadio Mane go down too easily? ??
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OPINION
Michael Oliver will no doubt be double-checking every major decision given the magnitude of the game on Sunday. Yes, it is still very early days in the season, but Liverpool could be nine points clear if they collect all three points, and that could well send them on their way to their first-ever title in the Premier League. With VAR being introduced this season, there are checks on every single incident nearly, whether big or small, so far Guardiola to come out and comment on Mane seems strange. If the Reds’ winger was to dive in the game and get the decision, it would immediately go the video referee, who would overrule that call, so there isn’t really an issue unless Klopp and Guardiola make one. Bowyer might believe it is a clever call by the City boss, but Oliver will have officiated enough Premier League games in his career to see this as a warning towards him – he will know what to expect at Anfield.
