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Scharner critical of Suarez over diving

Charlie Adam converted after Luis Suarez had been fouled © Getty Images

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West Brom midfielder Paul Scharner has lambasted Luis Suarez for the "nice dive" that earned the penalty to set Liverpool on the way to a 2-0 victory at the Hawthorns.

Suarez was adjudged to have been fouled by Jerome Thomas inside the area after just nine minutes of Saturday's Premier League clash and Charlie Adam stepped up to score from the spot.

However, after the match, West Brom manager Roy Hodgson questioned the decision of match referee Lee Mason to award the penalty and Scharner has now added his voice to the latest diving row to engulf the Uruguay striker.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has constantly defended Suarez from such allegations since the player arrived at Anfield but the accusations continue.

Asked for his verdict on Suarez's performance, Scharner said: "It was a nice dive for the penalty and that got Liverpool well started for the game. It put us under pressure and we weren't good enough to respond.

"He (Suarez) is very good at winning penalties. He's one of the best on the planet, in fact. I had a good view of it. If that's a penalty, then you will find 1,500 penalties are given in every match.

"I know it was the assistant who flagged for it and maybe he had a better view than the referee. But there was a general feeling amongst all the players that it was a soft penalty.''

Whatever the rights and wrongs of Scharner's claims, there was no disputing the quality of Suarez's general performance in his side's 2-1 win. He also set up the second goal for Andy Carroll, who was quick to praise the contribution of his strike partner.

Carroll said: "He is a great player, he works hard for the team so it is nice to have him up top with me. It makes it a lot easier.

"He makes chances and can score goals himself, he can drop off and get the ball to his feet to dribble with it and slip people in. We are playing well together at the minute and hope it will carry on.

"People say there are similarities between Luis and the manager (Dalglish). Everyone also knows what the gaffer did back in his day. Luis is a great player and it is even better to have him in the team alongside me.''

Carroll is hoping to kickstart his campaign after regaining his place in the starting XI.

He added: "I have been disappointed to be on the bench. I have been working hard to get my place and I think I have earned it. I played well last week and obviously at West Brom and getting a goal as well was even better.

"I am working hard in training every day to get my fitness up. I can only say I am working my hardest to get back the way I was. If I don't work hard then I am not going to play and that is the good thing about having a big squad.''

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