MOHAMED SALAH SAYS he is targeting a perfect summer, starting with Champions League glory with Liverpool this weekend.
The Egyptian star is out for redemption after seeing his dreams ruined in Kiev last year. Salah’s injury in the first-half of the Reds’ final defeat to Real Madrid 12 months ago was a devastating blow, both for the player and his team.
A year on, the 26-year-old is hoping for better memories as Liverpool take on Tottenham at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid. Jurgen Klopp’s side are favourites heading into the game, and Salah is targeting not only victory, but a goal or two for himself too.
“It’s not just a dream,” he said at Liverpool’s media day at Melwood on Tuesday. “I hope it becomes a reality and I score in the final, then win the African Cup of Nations too.
I am so happy that I have the chance to play another final. I hope I can play the full game this time. I am very excited for that. I hope we can right what happened last season, get a good result, and win the competition.”
Salah believes the fact it is Tottenham who stand in Liverpool’s way adds an extra challenge. Spurs, like the Reds, had looked dead and buried in their semi-final but fought back remarkably to beat Ajax with a last-gasp goal.
“I think it will be tough,” Salah said. “But by the end of the day, this is a final and no opponent would have been easy. It would be the same if it were Ajax, a team that beat Real Madrid and Juventus.
But now we only think about Tottenham. It is harder because it is an English side, but anyway we needed to win whether it was against Ajax or Spurs. And that is the most important thing we want to do.
“I don’t think [being favourites] will change much. All we have to do is stay focused on the game to win. Who is favourite and who isn’t will not change what you have to do on the pitch. It could give us a bit of a boost, but it won’t be the main reason why a side wins a game.”
Liverpool are expected to welcome back Roberto Firmino for the game, with the Brazilian having failed to start any of their last five games due to a groin issue.
Firmino trained away from the main group at Melwood on Tuesday, but Jurgen Klopp expects the striker to be fit to start in Madrid – something Salah will welcome.
“He is very important for us and helps us so much in all our games,” he said. “I’m so glad that he’s back, especially for him personally. I hope he can help us again to achieve something good.
We are very excited. Of course this is our second final in a row. We lost the first, but everything feels better this time around and we have more experience than the last time.
“We are all looking forward and we had a good preparation period in Spain. We are back in Liverpool, and we are feeling very motivated as players and coaching staff. I hope we can win it this time.”
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Massive chance for Mo to get silverware this……….Egypt have a great squad lol
@Chippy OMalley: city have a brilliant squad. When are they going to be in CL Final?
@themansam: Ahh relax Sam, It was just a bit of wit. Really looking forward to the final, I’m buzzing for it actually. I miss the ball already and it’s only over 3 weeks.
@themansam: Also I notice you say “when are they going to be in a champions league final”, covering your bases are you just in case Liverpool don’t win????
@Chippy OMalley: not covering any bases! Genuine question that I’ve asked you several times but you’ve no answer to.
Any clue when City will get to a final? Any clue when they’ll get their hands on their first European Cup?
@themansam: Your base covering fella, getting close to the weekend and the butterflies are appearing. It’s brown trousers time. You will be grand I think they will do it. Mayo losing at the weekend was a very bad omen though. Are Liverpool still twinned with Mayo GAA? Genuine question…
@Chippy OMalley: so you don’t know then is that your answer? No clue when city will get anywhere near a Champions League Final, no?
@themansam: you are beginning to go full Keegan.
@David Clarke: how’s that David? I’ve asked chippey/anto this question several times and he’s not answered. The question actually makes him disappear
@themansam: what question are you asking me Sam???? If you have something to say just come out and say it.
@Chippy OMalley: Seeing as your account went hiding after spurs knocked city out of the CL, seeing as your account vanished after Liverpool battered Barcelona. You can answer off this account or bring Tony The Toffee back to answer, its up to you I don’t mind pal
I’ve asked several times now but can you tell me when City are going to turn all their domestic dominance to Europe and win the Champions League? Or are you going to change clubs again?
@themansam: The ramblings of a madman at this stage. Who’s tony?, who supports Everton, I never hid from anyone, what are you on about. Have you got me confused with someone else?? And in relation to your question, if you ask me a question, and I mean a proper question, I absolutely will answer it.
@Chippy OMalley: good lad. There’s one way to keep you quiet anyway
@David Clarke: You never go full Keegan……
@David Clarke: I would love it if we beat them. I would
@themansam: next year will be their year
@Chippy OMalley: yes they’re having the castlebar song contest in Bootle this year
@David Clarke: well it is squeaky bum time
@Chippy OMalley: don’t forget the community shield for which they qualified for by default. Used to that!
@Chippy OMalley: they are getting quite nervy now. Look at souness the other day. Was same last year when lumbered with Real in the final instead of Bayern. Spurs have them worried and it is Spurs!
@themansam: or your domestic dominance. 1 League cup circa 2012! Speaks volumes really.
@David Clarke: they all are. No pressure on Spurs really. A Freebie and they may do it and I WOULD LOVE IT.
@Bryn Capstan: you’re clearly not well
Mohamed Salah: I dream to win several Premier League titles like Steven Gerrard did.
reporter: Did Gerrard ever win a Premier League title ?
Mohamed Salah: No, he dreamed just like me..!
Ace xxx
@Adam Gibson: an article on the champions league final yet the Prem is mentioned
@Beer Belly 0476: so is Mo Salah baby cakes
@Adam Gibson: did someone mention cakes?
@Adam Gibson:keep talking happy talk. you’ve got to have a dream. If you don’t have a dream, how you going to have a dream come through
@Beer Belly 0476: baby ones
@Beer Belly 0476: Are you still bitter over that one point ??
Mickey mouse cup