Mohamed Salah admits Liverpool’s title challenge “feels different” to previous seasons.
The Reds beat in-form Bournemouth on Saturday to open a nine-point lead ahead of second-placed Arsenal’s game against Manchester City on Sunday, Salah scoring both goals to move onto 21 for the season in the league. Arne Slot’s side were made to work for their 17th victory in 23 games, with a number of marginal decisions going in their favour while Bournemouth also struck the woodwork twice.
“Yeah, I think (it feels) slightly different but last season we were also very close but again, as I’ve said before we need to stay humble and just take it each game at a time,” said Salah. “Focus on each game. We don’t have to think further, just think about each game.”
Salah gave Liverpool the lead from the penalty spot after 30 minutes following a trip on Cody Gakpo by Bournemouth defender Lewis Cook. Andoni Iraola’s Cherries, who had been unbeaten in 12 league and cup games previously, had a goal disallowed for a hairline offside shortly afterwards, before Salah sealed the win late on with a superb finish curled beyond goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Key to this season’s title charge has been Salah, who after Saturday has now hit the 20-goal mark in five of his eight campaigns at Anfield. “It feels good to be fair, scoring goals, the team winning, it’s an incredible feeling,” said Salah.
“But I said it many times before that my main target this season is to win the Premier League with the team. We are going in the right direction so hopefully we can keep going like this.”
Also crucial to victory on the south coast was goalkeeper Alisson who made a wonderful close-range stop from Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo with the score 1-0 early in the second half. With 21 goals conceded, Liverpool have the joint-best defensive record in the division so far this season, alongside Arsenal.
“Incredible, incredible,” said Salah of his goalkeeper. “He knows how important he is for us. We have been together six or seven years here, I’ve been with him for two years in Rome as well. We know each other very well. He works very hard, also the defensive line works very hard so I am happy for them.”
