Salah and Mane send Liverpool top - for now
LONDON (Reuters) – Winter returned to Anfield but while the temperature dropped, the standards of Juergen Klopp’s side certainly did not as Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah both struck twice in a 5-0 thrashing of relegated Huddersfield Town.
Liverpool kept the pressure up on Premier League title rivals Manchester City, moving to the summit on 91 points, two more than City, but Pep Guardiola’s side will regain top spot with a win at Burnley on Sunday.
Despite the wind, rain and freezing temperature, Liverpool had little trouble collecting their seventh league win in a row and with a trip to Newcastle United and home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers to come, Juergen Klopp’s side could well keep that streak going until the end of the season.
Ninety one points was enough to win 20 of the 27 Premier League titles and Klopp’s side could end the campaign with just a solitary league defeat to go with several other records — but none of that will count for much if Pep Guardiola’s side do not drop points in their three remaining matches.
“Ninety one points. Wow, that’s crazy. It’s only possible because the boys play like they do, the attitude they have,” Klopp said.
“You cannot ask for luck or destiny, you have to work for it. We said we want to write our own history, that’s what we’re doing. The boys are outstanding,” he added.
Liverpool, who face Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, were without forward Roberto Firmino who was rested due to a slight muscle strain.
But Klopp’s side do not lack for firepower even without their Brazilian striker.
Salah and Mane now have 21 and 20 goals each this season — making them the top two scorers in the Premier League.