Verdict is out on Salah's 'dive' against Newcastle United

Egyptian international won a penalty after for club for their second goal in 4-0 win over Newcastle United

Liverpool star Mo Salah's 'dive' at Newcastle United may have earned him a penalty and an eventual goal for the club, but it did raise a lot of eyebrows.

Reds forward Salah appeared to go down easily after having his arm tugged by Paul Dummett, but the Magpies boss Rafael Benitez thought the spot-kick was "soft".

"The soft penalty in the game made the difference, we were in the game 1-0 at half-time, but when we conceded the second goal it was more difficult for us to react against a very good team," he had told Sky Sports in a post-match interview.

"The second goal was crucial, it gave them more confidence and was more difficult for us, you have to take more risks, be more open then you make more mistakes and pay for that."

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey also suggested to The Sun that action should be taken against Salah, saying: "Mo Salah should face a two-match ban if the simulation panel are consistent.

"Newcastle defender Paul Dummett does put his hand on Salah’s arm, but the Liverpool forward does not need to go to ground in that manner and it is an act of simulation.

"Oumar Niasse and Manuel Lanzini were given two-game suspensions for ‘deception of a match official’ last season.

"Salah has gone to ground just as easily as they did and could easily face the same punishment."

However, the Football Association, to Liverpool fans' and manager Jurgen Klopp's delight, have cleared the striker.

The FA "confirmed the second-half incident did not meet the threshold to constitute deception of a match official", as reported by Goal.

The Egypt international is now free to play in their upcoming crunch matches against a fifth-placed Arsenal and a third-placed and title-contenders Manchester City.

Liverpool sit comfortable on the top of the Premier League table with 51 points, while Tottenham are second with 45, and City are on third with 44 points.