Scharner accuses Suarez of diving

West Brom midfielder Paul Scharner has accused Liverpool striker Luis Suarez of diving to earn a penalty during Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash at the Hawthorns.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has constantly defended Suarez from such allegations since the player arrived at Anfield. But Scharner has reopened the debate after the Reds were awarded a spot-kick when Jerome Thomas was adjudged to have fouled the Uruguayan after only eight minutes.

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."

He added: "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."