Liverpool stalwarts Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are over the moon after ging nine points clear at the top of the table following their 2 – 0 win at Anfield over the Premier League’s defending champions Manchester City.
“It’s crazy, the fans were behind us from the first minute,” Salah said to Sky Sports. “I’m glad we managed to win the game. We knew City were going to come and try to win the game here but we managed to play a good game and win the game.”
Van Dijk, who was with Salaha in the mixed zone, was then asked about the defending champions’ current vulerabel state. “After the game it’s always easy to say these things, his response began. “I think City are a fantastic team, four times champions in a row and they have quality to punish any team. I think we were very solid defensively.
“Offensively we did our part as well, we created good chances and could have scored more. So, overall, it has been a great day. Now we recover and be ready for another game on Wednesday.”
Salah then spoke about Liverpool’s first goal, which looked straight out of a training manual. “We train well to always be [set up so] if you have the ball, the [player on the] other side has to be at the second post, he said.
“I told Cody before the game, every time I have the ball and there’s a chance for me to play the ball to you I will play it for sure. I gave him a few balls this season, him and Lucho [Luis Diaz] as well. We train that ball in training – that we managed to do it in a game is great.
“It’s very special,” Salah added”. “I’ve said before, I don’t take it for granted. I’m enjoying every minute here, it feels like home. It’s always a special feeling scoring at Anfield and winning games.
“Of course [on enjoying his season]. Honestly, that was in my head, that until now this is the last City game I play for Liverpool so I’m just going to enjoy it. The atmosphere was incredible, I’m enjoying every second here. Hopefully we just win the league and see what will happen.
Van Dijk was then asked about the significance of their nine-point lead over Arsenal. “We focus on the next one, that’s the only thing we can do,” he answered. “There’s no point at this stage of the season to get ahead of ourselves.
“Obviously everyone wants to be in a position where they are, in this case, 11 points in front of the opponent today, but there are so many twists and turns. Now we have some injuries as well to our team unfortunately, and we have to deal with that as well. It’s game by game and stay calm. But games like this, when you win it like this, is always a good feeling.
“Now we’re back to recovery and be ready for a very tough one away.”
