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Liverpool winger Sadio Mane defends his dive against Crystal Palace and claims he should have been given a penalty by referee Neil Swarbrick

Liverpool winger Sadio Mane has defended his performance against Crystal Palace and insisted he should have been awarded a penalty instead of booked for diving.

The Senegalese winger proved to be a controversial figure in Liverpool's 2-1 win at Selhurst Park. He was first booked after going down under a challenge from James McArthur before narrowly escaping a second yellow when he deliberately picked the ball up.

Mane claims he was surprised that referee Neil Swarbrick didn't award a spot-kick and insists he never feared being sent off later on.

Sadio Mane has defended his performance against Crystal Palace after almost being sent off
Sadio Mane has defended his performance against Crystal Palace after almost being sent off

'Honestly, I was thinking he (Swarbrick) was going to give a penalty,' Mane told the Liverpool Echo.