SADIO MANE admits he will carry on ‘diving’ to win penalties for Liverpool.
The Reds striker was accused of ‘diving’ by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola last weekend.
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Liverpool chief Jurgen Klopp hit back and claimed Mane is no diver and the forward says he will not change his style of play ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster showdown between the Premier League title rivals.
Mane said: “If it could be a penalty for sure I will ‘dive’ again.
“If the ‘dive’ will give me a penalty then I will do it! Why not?”
However, the Senegal ace, who was booked for diving at Aston Villa on Saturday, then tried to backtrack by adding: “But what Jurgen said is correct. I do not dive.
“There was contact (at Villa) for sure. Maybe it was not a penalty and he didn’t give it, and he gave me a yellow card. To be honest I don’t have any problem about it.
“It’s what I want to keep doing. If I get a penalty, yeah it’s a penalty. If no penalty, no penalty, but (it) will never change the way I’m playing or the way I’m doing my things.
“The only thing I can say I will be ready for the team, to give everything possible, and to help my team.”
Mane also believes Guardiola’s comments will have alerted referee Michael Oliver.
He added: “I think it’s a bit clever from him to get the attention of the referee but I will just play my football like I’m always doing. I don’t pay attention to what he’s saying because it’s part of football.
“No it doesn’t make anything (motivation-wise) for me. Even though I saw him commenting about it, what he said, for me, I think it’s positive.”
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Defending champions City trail Klopp’s side by six points ahead of the Anfield clash.
Mane added: “It’s a big game. Everybody’s excited. I can say one of the biggest tests.
“It will be really important for us to get a positive result and we will be ready, spot-on from the first second until the last. We will give everything possible to win.”
