My new home has been patient for 30 years – Egypt’s Salah on Liverpool’s wait for EPL glory
ANA Sports Reporter
JOHANNESBURG, July 23 (ANA) – With Liverpool finally lifting the English Premier League title on Wednesday evening, star Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah has praised the Merseyside fans for their patience in their wait for the top accolade in the land.
Liverpool were hurtling towards a first league title in 30 years, before the novel coronavirus pandemic forced the league into suspension in March.
It meant, even though Liverpool were almost assured of the title with a 25-point lead over second-placed Manchester City – there was a chance the season could be scrapped altogether.
Fortunately the season was resumed on June 16, albeit without fans, and Liverpool’s inevitable march to the title was over when they were crowned champions with seven games to spare.
On Wednesday, Liverpool’s last home league game – they were presented the trophy after beating Chelsea 5-3.
“My new home has been patient for thirty years. And I know they would have waited as long as it takes. Patience always receives the best award. And finally, we don’t have to wait any more,” said Salah.
“How long should you wait for something you want? For me, patience has always been the greatest virtue. We strive to be patient in all things. Especially when it is tested.”
With Liverpool going on to claim their first title since the 1989/1990 season, the Egyptian’s influence has been a major factor in their success. Salah is Liverpool’s top scorer in the league this season with 19 strikes. Salah is four goals behind Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy who is the top-scorer this season in the EPL with 23 strikes.
Last season in the EPL, Senegal’s Sadio Mane shared the Golden Boot crown with Salah and Arsenal’s Gabonese front-man Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, all three having netted 22 times for their respective clubs. On top of that, Mane scored 39 goals across all competitions for Liverpool in the 2018-2019 season.
Salah is already a two-time winner of the African Player of the Year award – claiming the title in 2017 and 2018.
The former Chelsea player in his debut season (2017/2018) for Liverpool, Salah scored a phenomenal 32 goals from 36 league matches.
In the 2018/2019 season he scored 22 goals after appearing in all 38 matches. This season to date, he has scored 12 goals from 21 league outings.
With Liverpool crowned champions – it was in no small part due to the incredible contributions of Salah. – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman
