Alan Pardew accuses Christian Benteke of diving as Crystal Palace boss fumes at Liverpool's last-gasp penalty winner

Alan Pardew and Damien Delaney accused Christian Benteke of diving after ten-man Liverpool grabbed a late 2-1 win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Liverpool came from a goal and a man down to beat Pardew's side, with Benteke scoring from the spot in the sixth minute of stoppage time after going down in the area under Delaney's challenge.

Joe Ledley's powerful 48th-minute finish had given Palace the lead and after James Milner's red card Liverpool were struggling until home goalkeeper Alex McCarthy slipped under little pressure while attempting a routine clearance and gifted Roberto Firmino an equaliser.

Benteke then beat McCarthy from the spot to secure Liverpool's third straight Premier League win, but the way he went to ground to earn the penalty angered Pardew.

Christian Benteke 'dive' reaction – ‘I expect no less from Liverpool’

Liverpool star Christian Benteke has come under fire from rival fans after he was awarded – and converted – a controversial penalty to earn his side a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace.

 Liverpool striker Christian Benteke falls to the floor

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure is determined to fight for a new contract as his current deal enters its final weeks.

As it stands the former Ivory Coast international, who turns 35 in March, has three months left at Anfield as no new offer has been made by the club.

Toure signed a one-year extension last May but the pending summer arrival of Schalke centre-back Joel Matip on a free transfer would appear to suggest the former Arsenal and Manchester City centre-back is on his way out.

However, he is refusing to accept this is the end and has been encouraged by a recent run in the side which, due to injuries, has seen him start the last two matches.
"I've not been told anything. I am just enjoying every second of being at Liverpool Football Club," said Toure, who has made 16 appearances so far this season.

LIVERPOOL: Kolo Toure determined to fight for new Liverpool contract

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure is determined to fight for a new contract as his current deal enters its final weeks.

 
As it stands the former Ivory Coast international, who turns 35 in March, has three months left at Anfield as no new offer has been made by the club.
Toure signed a one-year extension last May but the pending summer arrival of Schalke centre-back Joel Matip on a free transfer would appear to suggest the former Arsenal and Manchester City centre-back is on his way out.

Gunners must take note of Liverpool's failure in 2013/14 – this is their best shot at Premier League glory

This was the evidence both the players and fans required to conclude that a first Premier League crown in more than a decade is within their grasp, while bookmakers slashed odds on such a scenario unfolding.


Week by week, it feels like it’s Arsenal’s title to lose – something we’ve said about Arsene Wenger and co. before. The Gunners typically finish the calendar year strongly but fall short in February when the weight of multiple competitions causes irreparable damage.
But this time feels different, purely because of the state of the opposition. Chelsea are in such disarray they’ve called again on the services of Guus Hiddink to steady the ship, while it's looking increasingly likely Louis van Gaal may suffer the same fate as Jose Mourinho if Manchester United’s results don’t improve over Christmas. Manchester City, everyone’s pre-season favourites after an extraordinary summer outlay, seem incoherent without Vincent Kompany and Liverpool look way short of a top-four challenge, let alone a title tilt. It’s a season of uncertainty, turmoil and transition, with Leicester’s astonishing rise to the league’s summit only serving to underline its wacky nature.

Liverpool: Could this be the man to ease Jurgen Klopp's attacking injury crisis?

Liverpool’s academy squad numbers will have been licking their lips at the prospect of Jurgen Klopp taking the Anfield reins.

 

While Klopp’s predecessor Brendan Rodgers had overseen the development and emergence of Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe, the German built a reputation as one of the finest managers for nurturing young talent in Europe while with Borussia Dortmund. Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze are testament to that and Ibe, for one, has spoken of his desire to emulate Lewandowski’s achievements under Klopp’s guidance.

Reds deny claims Carlo Ancelotti has been approached about replacing Brendan Rodgers

The Reds have failed to win any of their last five games and Rodgers is fast losing support among the Anfield faithful.

 

A leading newspaper has claimed that owners Fenway Sports Group are already making plans for a managerial change and have sounded out Ancelotti about taking on the job.

Tottenham Goalkeeper Brad Friedel to Retire at the End of the Season

The 43-year-old will bring the curtain down on a career which has spanned three decades and included spells with Liverpool, Blackburn and Aston Villa.