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Sadio Mane Refused To Go Down For Penalty Again After Michael Owen’s Bizarre Theory

Sadio Mane Refused To Go Down For Penalty Again After Michael Owen’s Bizarre Theory

Michael Owen bizarrely suggested Sadio Mane wasn’t going down because he didn’t want to win a penalty for Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Sadio Mane once again refused to go down to the ground to win a penalty for Liverpool against Wolves as Michael Owen's strange theory has remerged online.

Diogo Jota scored against his former side on Tuesday as Liverpool sealed a 1-0 victory at the Molineux.

Mane refused to go down to the ground during both of Liverpool's clashes against Sheffield United and Chelsea.

And the 28-year-old Senegalese winger once again caught Liverpool fans' attention after he didn't go down against Wolves for an easy penalty win.

Mane managed to round Rui Patricio in the first half, despite the Wolves 'keeper catching his foot with an outstretched arm.

However, the Liverpool star remained on his feet and has been praised by some for his honest approach.

The same can't be said with some Liverpool fans, who are questioning why Mane once again refused to go to ground.

Mane's latest actions have once again led to Owen's theory popping back up.

Owen, 41, claimed earlier this month that the Senegal international wasn't going down because he didn't want to win a penalty for Mohamed Salah.

Speaking on Optus Sport, the former Liverpool striker explained: "I couldn't believe he didn't go down there and look, I'm not advocating he does.

"It was a great touch and he possibly thought he might get a chance at the end of it [...] but he did something similar a week ago [against Sheffield].

"I just wonder, and it might be a little bit of devious thoughts creeping into my head, Mo Salah is the penalty taker in this team, and if he [Mane] thinks he's getting a chance to score he thinks, 'Well I'm going to score, if I don't stay on my feet, Mo Salah's going to get another penalty.'

"These players have been going for the golden boot for the past couple of seasons.

"It might be a wild sort of theory, but the competitive nature of him and Mo Salah... we've seen them not passing to each other when one of them is in a much better position to the other.

"We're seeing a little bit of selfishness, we're seeing a little bit of disgruntled behaviour -- Mo Salah shaking his head [when he was subbed off].

"I just think a couple of times there, I've seen Mane go down for those kind of opportunities... and [to not do it] two games on the spin? It just made me think a little bit."

Liverpool's Premier League title defence is all but over as they trail league leaders Manchester City by a whopping 25 points.

PA

PA

The Reds' win over Wolves strengthened their chances for a top-four finish as they sit five points behind fourth-place Chelsea.

Liverpool will return to Premier League action after the international break as they travel to the Emirates for their clash with Arsenal on 4th April.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter

Topics: Liverpool, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Football, Premier League, Molineux, England, Michael Owen, Sadio Mane