DOHA (Qatar): Liverpool star striker Mohamed Salah said that the team’s all-round performance saw them secure a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup final after beating Monterrey 2-1 on Wednesday night.
Salah didn’t score as he was heavily marked by Monterrey defenders, yet he contributed in his team’s first goal.
The Egypt international, who rolled out the ball for Naby Keita to score the opening goal, felt the win was secured by first-class efforts from every area of the pitch.
“Firmino joined the match in the final minutes and scored with his first touch, Alisson also saved many chances and the Trent Alexander-Arnold who crossed the ball,” said Salah. “Everybody contributed to the team. I think we all deserve the Man of the Match.”
The 27-year-old was awarded the FIFA Man of the Match for the game, but gave credit to his team-mates.
“Everybody played his role. I think in the end we showed our quality and won in the last minute. I think we deserved it,” said Salah, who joined the Premier League side from AS Roma in 2017.
A Liverpool-dominated crowd inside the Khalifa International Stadium loudly cheered every one of Salah’s touches throughout the semifinal.
“I think all the stadium today was Egyptian!” Salah added. “I can hear that today.”
In front of a vociferous crowd that constituted majority of their fans, but mostly Mohammed Salah followers in the Qatari capital, the Premier League side overcame a gritty challenge from the CONCACAF winners, who cancelled out Naby Keita’s 12th-minute goal through Rogelio Funes Mori two minutes later.
“When you feel Egyptian support everywhere, I feel happy about that. I always feel love when my name is called or I feel support from them. I’m happy to hear that from them,” he added.
The Reds will meet Brazilian outfit Flamengo in Saturday’s showpiece at the 2022 FIFA World Cup venue.
