After collecting his second Football Writers’ Association Football of the Year award on Thursday night, Liverpool forward Mo Salah took the opportunity to clarify the significance behind his tweet that Liverpool ‘have a score to settle’ with Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
The Egyptian striker is looking forward to facing the Spanish champions in Paris on May 28 after Carlo Ancelotti’s side earned their spot in the final with a dramatic comeback against Manchester City in their semi-final second leg on Wednesday evening.
Los Blancos crushed Salah’s heart after a strong Sergio Ramos challenge took him off in the first half of the 2018 Champions League final in Kyiv, with the Real captain later lifting the title.
When asked by the BT Sport punditry team about his chosen final opponent after Liverpool’s 3-2 triumph against Villarreal, the 29-year-old was emphatic that he wanted Los Blancos.
“I want Real Madrid. Man City are a tough side but I have to be honest, I would like to play Real Madrid,” Salah said on Tuesday night.
Peter Crouch then asked: “You want revenge for a few years ago?”
To which Salah replied: “Yes, of course, they beat us a few years ago so hopefully we can do that if we get them.”
But speaking at the FWA event on Thursday night he appeared to backtrack a little on those comments.
“Well, I’m so excited, our team is so excited about it,” Salah said.
“I said before the game that I wanted to play Madrid in the final, I’m sure it’s going to be a tough game.
“They beat a lot of good teams, we just need to be focused on the game.
“First of all we still have a few games in the Premier League. We have to finish them in the best way possible.”
