Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has responded to being embroiled in more suggestions of diving in his side's 1-1 Champions League draw with Napoli.
Mane had a penalty claim turned down when he went down under a challenge from Giovanni Di Lorenzo in the draw, which has left Liverpool needing to avoid defeat in their final group game against Red Bull Salzburg in order to qualify for the last 16.
The Senegal international has won several spot-kicks this season, prompting Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to claim Mane is "sometimes diving" in a bizarre interview after Liverpool came from behind to beat Aston Villa earlier this month.
And Mane saw the funny side when asked about the incident during the Napoli game.
“Yes, I think it was a penalty," Mane said in quotes reported by the Liverpool Echo , jokingly adding: "I was not diving like usual eh?!
“Like I always said, I am not a kind of player who will always dive to steal something from the game. I could be lucky sometimes and get a penalty, but he didn’t give it for me, and it wasn’t a dive."
Meanwhile, Mane dismissed concerns Liverpool's fearsome front line could be facing burnout following a hectic December schedule.
Jurgen Klopp's side play nine games in 26 days in December, including two FIFA Club World Cup matches in Qatar.
Mane and Roberto Firmino have played in every match this season, apart from Carabao Cup games, while Mohamed Salah has missed just two due to an ankle injury.
But when asked about fatigue, Mane simply tapped his forehead and said: “I think it is here. Honestly, I think it is all in the head.
“The tiredness is in the head, so as long as the body recovers well I think it is not difficult for us to play every single game, if the team needs us, and the coach needs us, I think we will be able to play and help the team.”
