• Premier League

'I'm not a diver - Scousers don't do things like that'

Ross Barkley was booked after going to ground under the challenge of Frank Lampard © Getty Images

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Everton midfielder Ross Barkley has said he is not a diver - because he believes footballers born and raised Liverpool do not cheat.

Barkley was booked for simulation by referee Andre Marriner after a challenge by Frank Lampard in the second half of Saturday's 1-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester City.

And Barkley told the Liverpool Echo: "I don't ever intend to dive. I'm a Scouser - we don't do things like that. It's frustrating."

Manager Roberto Martinez criticised the decision, which came two weeks after Barkley was embroiled in a diving controversy during the 2-1 home victory over West Ham.

On that occasion, Barkley won a free-kick for going to ground even though replays showed that midfielder Kevin Nolan had not touched him. Martinez said then - as he did again after the City defeat - that the player was not a diver.

The midfielder is now concerned that he is getting an unfair reputation for cheating because of the incident against West Ham.

He said: "All the talk about what happened against West Ham, which I didn't even intend on doing, is having an effect. I was expecting contact. You could see that from my reaction in that game - I got straight back up and tried to get on the ball, but the ref gave the free kick.

"I like driving forward with the ball, so every now and then I expect a bit of contact because I'm committing players.

"Against City, I was expecting the contact from Frank Lampard and there was contact. I thought it was a free-kick to us. I was disappointed the referee gave that as a foul and I got a yellow card.

"I was 100 percent certain it should have been a free-kick. The ref made his decision and said I dived - but I don't think that's right."

Barkley, who came on as a second-half substitute against City, feels he is coming back to form after missing the opening two months of the season with a knee injury.

He said: "I feel much fitter now I've got some games under my belt. I feel like, from now on, I'm going to be playing much better for the rest of the season. I'm more confident than I have been in the last few games.

"I believe goals will come for me, too. I believe in my own ability. I scored goals last season, and I believe I will for the rest of my career as well. I've got to focus on doing things right in training and taking that onto the pitch."

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