Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah has insisted that his full attention is now on winning the Africa Cup of Nations title with Egypt after putting a pause on his club career.
Mohamed Salah signed off for the Africa Cup of Nations with two goals and an assist as Liverpool beat Newcastle United 4-2 to stay top of the Premier League table.
The Egyptian saw his 22nd-minute penalty saved by Martin Dubravka, before making amends by scoring twice in the second period, including a second penalty of the night late on.
Speaking after the game, Salah said: “The other ones [boots] I missed the pen with, I just trained with yesterday. It’s not superstitious because I play with many boots. But when I feel it’s going to play with my head, OK, out, change the boots!
“I’m calm. I try to do my job. I always practise. The first one I was confused because the goalkeeper was moving and he was waving and I thought, ‘OK let’s go in the middle’, but he managed to save it very well.
“The second one I did what I did in training and did my thing.”
“I missed the pen. At half-time I was like, ‘Do you want to leave for the national team with that performance?’ Not really! So I had to really focus, step up, and make the difference and I managed to do so.
“I want to win this competition, I would love to win it.
“But without me, I’m sure the [Liverpool] players will manage to win games. We have fantastic players, really good quality, they just need to keep the pressure away and just play their football. We have players who can play in my position, they can do what I am doing.
“It means a lot to play for the national team, it’s a great feeling. Every time I step on the field with the national team jersey, it’s something I cannot take for granted. I’m just happy to play in the tournament and I would love to win it.”