Trailing to a 13th-minute Luka Milivojevic penalty, Sadio Mane decided to beat a well-trodden path in a desperate attempt to con another for Liverpool at Selhurst Park.
The Senegalese forward attempted to capitalise/cheat by going sprawling under the slightest duress from a mistimed James McArthur tackle, only to be immediately booked by referee Neil Swarbrick for his troubles…
Here’s the Mane timeline: Realise minor contact has been made -> plant both feet and regain balance for split second before dive instinct kicks in -> flail to ground, screaming -> clutch wrong leg in mock agony -> laugh it all off -> try the same thing again next week.
With just a booking on the line, it’s like these players know they’ve got one ‘free’ chance to swindle the referee before they’re really punished.
*Sigh*
UPDATE: Four minutes into the second half and Liverpool have just this second equalised through – you guessed it – Sadio Mane.