Sowetan

Salah poses the biggest threat to City

Reds striker has scored 37 goals this season

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Liverpool – Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah is capable of destroying any defence and deserves to win the seasonendi­ng Player of the Year award, teammate Virgil van Dijk has said.

Runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City travel to Liverpool in the first leg of an all-English Champions League quarterfin­al clash tonight.

Salah is set to pose the biggest attacking threat to City, having already scored 37 goals in all competitio­ns this season, including one in Liverpool’s 4-3 league victory over Pep Guardiola’s side in January.

When asked if Salah has the attributes to beat City’s welldrille­d defensive line, Van Dijk said: “That’s what everyone knows. That’s how we feel as well.

“He’s that kind of player that you just need to be on your best. When he is 100% and in the zone, then he can beat anyone.

“There are ways to stop him but I’m not going to tell you because I don’t want our opponents to think about it.”

Salah is likely to jostle with City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne for the Profession­al Footballer­s’ Associatio­n Players’ Player of the Year award.

Van Dijk cannot vote for his teammate but said the team will continue to do everything possible on the pitch to boost Salah’s chances of claiming the individual honour.

“I think everyone in the dressing room is just a normal guy. Nobody feels better than each other. Everybody is working hard for each other to get the win,” the Dutch centre back added.

“That’s a very good thing to have in a team. Everyone knows our team spirit and without all of us Mo wouldn’t have scored his goals. Everyone needs to be giving 100% and I think we do that.” –

‘‘ When he is 100% and in the zone, then he can beat anyone

 ?? / GLYN KIRK/ AFP ?? Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the team’s second goal against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
/ GLYN KIRK/ AFP Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring the team’s second goal against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

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