Salah back for super Sunday
MANCHESTER City will be judged only by the trophies they win and failure to seal the Premier
League title tomorrow could result in critics trying to “destroy” the team, manager Pep Guardiola said yesterday.
Defending champions City lead Liverpool by a point ahead of the final game of the season and a victory at Brighton & Hove Albion will ensure Guardiola’s side become the first team to retain the title since Manchester United in 2009.
However, the Spaniard is wary of critics if Liverpool pip City at the post, pointing to the questions they faced about their mentality when they were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarterfinals by Tottenham Hotspur.
“We saw that in the Champions League... when you are out everybody destroys the team, destroys the club, destroys the manager,” Guardiola said.
“We know the world we live in and I know we’ll be judged. You have to win... it’s not going to change my opinion about what we’ve done, but if you want more credit you have to win.
“We’re travelling to Brighton and just thinking of trying to win. That’s the ideal situation... afterwards we celebrate or congratulate Liverpool.”
Liverpool, who are looking to end a 29-year drought for an English league title, were seven points ahead of City in January before the champions clawed their way back.
“It’s a dream to be here. I didn’t expect... to be in the position that we are now,” Guardiola added.
“We’re going to play well, strong mentally, knowing it’ll be tough... it’s better to focus on what we do. If we win we don’t have to look at anything else.”
Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne could feature on the final day after shaking off a hamstring problem sustained in a 1-0 league victory over Tottenham last month.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah is ready to feature in Liverpool’s title decider against Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow after the Egyptian forward recovered from concussion, manager Jurgen Klopp said.
Salah missed Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final win against Barcelona on Tuesday after a clash of heads with Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka last weekend, but was cleared to train ahead of the domestic season finale.
Captain Jordan Henderson and full back Andy Robertson also sustained knocks against Barcelona but Klopp is hopeful about the availability of the trio.
“The famous words in the dressing room this week have been ‘it’s only pain,’” Klopp said yesterday.
“Hendo said it was only pain, Robbo said it was only pain. They should be fine. Bobby (Roberto Firmino), not for the weekend.
“Mo looked good running around the celebrations (following the Barcelona win). Yesterday and the day before he was running outside. He will be part of training today.”
Liverpool must overcome Wolves at Anfield to have any chance of winning their first top-flight title since 1990.
In a remarkable week of soccer, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur overcame seemingly impossible odds to beat Barcelona and Ajax Amsterdam respectively, to set up an all-english Champions League final for the first time since 2008.
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