The Liverpool forward had a mixed day against the Red Devils on Sunday, scoring a penalty but missing a number of chances in a 2-2 draw
Ahead of travelling to Manchester United on Sunday, Mohamed Salah’s message was clear.
If Liverpool were to win the Premier League this season, the Egyptian was adamant the Reds had to win every remaining match.
“If we want to win the Premier League, we have to win each game from now,” he told Sky Sports. “This game is huge because we know how much they want to win the game and how much they want to stop us winning the league.
“I think we don’t need to drop any points, if you’re asking me personally, what’s the point? If you drop points then you have to rely on the other teams to lose points as well. I don’t want to have that, I just want to win our games and see what’s going to happen later.”
Alas, Salah and Liverpool ultimately fell at the first hurdle. The 31-year-old would score a late penalty against the Red Devils, but it only earned Jurgen Klopp’s side a share of the spoils. Despite dominating at Old Trafford, a 2-2 draw saw them surrender top spot in the table to Arsenal.
The Reds remain one point ahead of reigning champions Man City, but trail the Gunners on goal difference. Boasting an inferior head-to-head record against Mikel Arteta’s men, the title-race is no longer in their hands.
But, with seven games left to play, that doesn’t mean it’s time to wave the white flag either. After all, in the same interview, Salah also spelt out how Liverpool need to treat the remaining weeks of the season – regardless of their position in the table at the end of each weekend. What they need to do next hasn’t changed.
“I think if you have a small goal, you’re going to reach it, then what’s next?” he said. “What’s next? But I always put high expectations, so at least you try your best for it.
“You can push yourself every day to work hard to get that goal. I don’t put small expectations for myself or for the club because, look at our team for example. We have great players, a great manager.
“Everything around us for us to win trophies so why not? We have everything it takes to win trophies. So we can’t be the underdog. We can’t think like a small team. No, we have to think big and achieve our goals.”
He continued: “We just need to focus on what we can do. We don’t have to focus on what we can’t do because we can’t control things.
“It’s quite different (this year). We lost the league before two times (and) it was one point, so it’s quite tricky. We just need to focus on it and try to win it.
“But it’s kind of different because Arsenal are involved as well. They’re doing great. I think it’s quite tricky because whoever is going to drop points, it’s going to be tough for them. So hopefully we’re not going to drop points and we just carry on.”
The Reds will focus on their last seven games, taking them one at a time while not worrying about their title-rivals, and seeing where they end up as they go in search of achieving that biggest of goals.
It will be tough for them, but it will be tough for Arsenal and Man City too. Klopp’s men might be deflated after drawing to United, but so too were their rivals after their own 0-0 draw at the Etihad last weekend. There are still further twists and turns to come when it comes to the Premier League title-race.
Win, draw, or lose at Old Trafford, and Liverpool’s aim would always be to win their next game, with Crystal Palace their next Premier League opponents at Anfield next Sunday. Very little has actually changed, with it always unfeasible that all three challengers would boast 100% winning records on the final straight. All three have now dropped points on the run-in.
Salah has won every major prize on offer at Anfield and, along with a handful of his senior team-mates, can at least call upon that experience as Liverpool look to be crowned champions once more.
With Klopp confirmed to be leaving the club at the end of the season, the Reds are even more determined to clinch their second Premier League crown. And Salah considers such a prize as ‘necessary’ for Liverpool’s overall legacy under his German manager.
“I always said I want to win the title here,” he said. “First and second and third time. I always love to win the Premier League.
