Mohamed Salah has defended two of his former Liverpool teammates (Shutterstock)

Mohamed Salah has accused a Liverpool fan account of being ‘disrespectful’ over a post which celebrated the signings of Florian Wirtz and Alexander…

Things only get better for LIverpool.

The champions host Arsenal in a blockbuster showdown on Merseyside.

Mohamed Salah has reiterated his claim that Arsenal should be considered favourites for the Premier League title ahead of Liverpool.

Liverpool finished 10 points clear of Arsenal in May to be crowned Premier League champions in Arne Slot’s first season at Anfield.

Both sides have significantly strengthened in the summer transfer window and have made strong starts to the new Premier League campaign by winning their two games.

Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday with many fans keen to see if Mikel Arteta’s side can lay down an early marker against the champions.

However, Salah believes Arsenal’s ability to keep their key players, as well as Arteta as manager, makes them favourites ahead of his own side this season.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Salah said of Arsenal: ‘That team, I have said it a few times, today and also at the PFA Awards, I said they are the favourites because they have a team that has played [together] for five, six years. So, they understand each other’s game.

‘And, they also have a manager with the team for five, six years. When the team’s stuck together for that long, they know each other’s game, so it becomes easier for them.

‘But other teams like us and [Manchester] City, changing a lot of players, which is sometimes tricky.

‘But again, teams with Pep Guardiola, they are always the favourites. But of course, my opinion is this year Arsenal are number one.’

Salah also revealed that he speaks with Slot about Liverpool’s transfer targets and gives his own recommendations to improve the squad.

‘After I stayed, in the beginning of the season I was asking him just out of curiosity, but I know my role and I know he’s the man who needs to decide what he wants, what position,’ Salah said.

‘But to be fair, the thing I admire a lot about him, he gives me space to say my opinion and tell him what I see in the team, what we can improve.

‘Even if I look now and I feel like I want to tell him we need that guy in that position, I think he will listen a lot.

‘That is something I really, really appreciate.’

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Mohamed Salah has reiterated his claim that Arsenal should be considered favourites for the Premier League title ahead of Liverpool.

Liverpool finished 10 points clear of Arsenal in May to be crowned Premier League champions in Arne Slot’s first season at Anfield.

Both sides have significantly strengthened in the summer transfer window and have made strong starts to the new Premier League campaign by winning their two games.

Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday with many fans keen to see if Mikel Arteta’s side can lay down an early marker against the champions.

However, Salah believes Arsenal’s ability to keep their key players, as well as Arteta as manager, makes them favourites ahead of his own side this season.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Salah said of Arsenal: ‘That team, I have said it a few times, today and also at the PFA Awards, I said they are the favourites because they have a team that has played [together] for five, six years. So, they understand each other’s game.

‘And, they also have a manager with the team for five, six years. When the team’s stuck together for that long, they know each other’s game, so it becomes easier for them.

‘But other teams like us and [Manchester] City, changing a lot of players, which is sometimes tricky.

‘But again, teams with Pep Guardiola, they are always the favourites. But of course, my opinion is this year Arsenal are number one.’

Salah also revealed that he speaks with Slot about Liverpool’s transfer targets and gives his own recommendations to improve the squad.

‘After I stayed, in the beginning of the season I was asking him just out of curiosity, but I know my role and I know he’s the man who needs to decide what he wants, what position,’ Salah said.

‘But to be fair, the thing I admire a lot about him, he gives me space to say my opinion and tell him what I see in the team, what we can improve.

‘Even if I look now and I feel like I want to tell him we need that guy in that position, I think he will listen a lot.

‘That is something I really, really appreciate.’

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‘I can’t say I’ll wish you luck – hopefully we do it again.’

He has his concerns.

Salah is among the main favourites.

Jota and Salah were teammates for five years.

The Reds looking to become English football’s most successful side next season.

Ex-England striker and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker (Picture: YouTube)

Gary Lineker has named his ‘favourite’ to win the Ballon d’Or ahead of Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah.

Despite intense speculation over a departure from Anfie…

Lineker hosted Match of the Day for 26 years before leaving.

Who is in the running for this year’s Ballon d’Or?

Jurgen Klopp says he ‘couldn’t have been more disappointed’ after Liverpool fans booed Trent Alexander-Arnold (PA Wire)

Jurgen Klopp has criticised Liverpool supporters who booed Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield over his decis…

Liverpool dedicated an end-of-season summer party to Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of his departure from Anfield.

Alexander-Arnold confirmed earlier this month that he was leaving the Premier League champions at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

The England star has been at Anfield since he was six and made over 350 appearances for his boyhood club.

Alexander-Arnold helped Liverpool win two Premier League titles and the Champions League but his decision to leave the club has not gone down well with many fans.

The 26-year-old, who looks set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, was booed by his own supporters during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal last weekend.

While much of the fanbase has reacted angrily to Alexander-Arnold’s decision, those inside Liverpool – including manager Arne Slot – have been more understanding.

The club appear to have held a ‘leaving party’ for Alexander-Arnold on Saturday ahead of the final day of the season next weekend.

Nevada Linton uploaded a video to TikTok channel which the caption: ‘R Trent’s leaving party! What a day and experience. Thank you. Go on to live your dreams.’

The event, which appears to have taken place on the grounds of Liverpool’s training complex in Kirby, was covered with branding which read: ‘Welcome to Summer of 66’ in reference to Alexander-Arnold’s shirt number.

Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Luiz Diaz were among the players pictured at the event.

Guests were able to enjoy food vendors and plenty of activities, including crazy golf and kids’ games.

Liverpool were desperately trying to tie down Alexander-Arnold, Salah and Van Dijk to new deals throughout their title-winning season.

Salah and Van Dijk have put pen to paper on contract extensions but Alexander-Arnold decided to leave amid interest from Real Madrid.

‘After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season,’ he said. ‘This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.

‘This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years. From the academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever.

‘I will forever be in debt to you all. But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.’

A number of Liverpool players have criticised the decision from some fans to jeer Alexander-Arnold during the recent match against Arsenal.

Alexander-Arnold will hope for a different reception on Monday night when Liverpool face Brighton and in their Premier League finale against Crystal Palace at Anfield.

‘I think somehow the fans were being harsh with him,’ Salah told Sky Sports.

‘I think he didn’t deserve it at the time, he deserved the fans to treat him the best way possible because he gave it all to the fans.

‘We shouldn’t act this way with anyone who always appreciates the people, who came here even for six months.

‘Imagine someone who gives you his all for 20 years. It’s shouldn’t be like this. I hope that will change next game, against Brighton or in the last game of the season, because he deserves the farewell.’

Anfield captain Van Dijk added: ‘We want to win two more games and after the final whistle, including him [Alexander-Arnold], lift the trophy up and celebrate like we have never done before.

When asked whether Alexander-Arnold’s exit could overshadow the celebrations, Van Dijk said: ‘I don’t think so. It shouldn’t. There’s a lot more players that also deserve an amazing day.’

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Trent Alexander-Arnold has angered some Liverpool fans over his decision to leave (Getty)

Mohamed Salah has urged Liverpool fans to stop booing Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of his Anfield exit.

Earlier this month, Alexander-Arnold announc…

Who gets your vote?

Who gets your vote?

Arsenal travel to Premier League champions Liverpool this afternoon looking to restore some pride after their Champions League exit.

Defeat at PSG in the week means the Gunners have endured yet another trophy-less season and to make matt…

The two shared huge success… but did not get along.

Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah has named the ‘best team in Europe’ ahead of the second Champions League semi-final.

Inter Milan booked their place in the Champions League final with an incredible 7-6 aggregate victory over Barcelona.

Barca looked set to advance to the showpiece event at the Allianz Arena after coming from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 in the dying minutes.

But Inter scored a dramatic equaliser in normal time before netting an extra-time winner in one of the greatest Champions League ties in history.

Either PSG or Arsenal will join Barcelona in the final, with the French and English clubs meeting in Paris for their semi-final second leg on Wednesday night.

Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain boast a 1-0 lead after they clinched a narrow victory at the Emirates Stadium last week.

Several pundits have given Arsenal hope of staging a comeback in the French capital but Salah has warned the Gunners that they will once again be coming up against the ‘best team in Europe’ in PSG.

PSG beat Aston Villa and Premier League champions Liverpool on route to the semi-finals, while they also thumped Manchester City in a mixed league phase.

Luis Enrique dominated Liverpool in the home leg but still travelled to Anfield trailing by one goal after Harvey Elliott snatched a late winner for the Reds.

But PSG sealed a 1-0 win of their own at Anfield and came out on top in the penalty shootout to keep their dreams alive of lifting a maiden Champions League trophy.

‘I have to be very honest, PSG were playing a very good game in the first leg,’ Salah told French outlet L’Equipe.

‘We were so lucky that Alisson had his best game in the club’s history probably. Then they came to Anfield. We were so unlucky because we hit the post two to three times.

‘That game was honestly 50/50 who deserved it more. No one could say. We played a very good second half. They played a very good first leg. Nobody here would say they deserved it 100 per cent.

‘It was their day and I shook their hands and said to their players after “congratulations, go and win” and that’s it. We faced the best team in Europe in that tie.’

Rooney urges Arsenal to ‘take opportunity’

Ex-England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes Arsenal can mount a comeback against PSG and says the Gunners have a big ‘opportunity’ to win their first Champions League.

‘It’s a big opportunity for PSG and Arsenal,’ he told Amazon Prime after watching Inter Milan’s thrilling victory over Barcelona.

‘I think it will be a tough game for Arsenal tomorrow but I think they’ve got a chance, they’ve got an opportunity.

‘I hope they go through because if they do they have a real chance of winning the competition obviously. I’m intrigued to watch it.’

Flick proud of Barcelona despite elimination

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, meanwhile, expressed his pride at his team after their heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Inter Milan.

‘I’m very disappointed that we’re out – but I’m not disappointed about the performance of my team. They tried everything,’ he said.

‘We’re out, but next year we’ll start again and we’ll make our fans, the club and everyone around us happy.

‘They [Inter] are a really good team, a strong team who defend well but also they have a really good striker.

‘In the second half we were really good. We gave everything but in the end it was like that and that’s what made me a bit sad.’

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Wayne Rooney singled out one Chelsea defender for praise after Mohamed Salah was kept quiet in the Blues’ victory over Liverpool.

Liverpool were beaten 3-1 by Enzo Maresca’s side in their first game since being crowned Premier League champions.

The Reds looked understandably off the pace a week on from celebrating a 20th English league title and it took Chelsea just three minutes to take the lead, Enzo Fernandez slotting home following a superb move involving Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto.

Chelsea doubled their lead with 20 minutes remaining when an attempted clearance from Virgil van Dijk hit Jarell Quansah and rebounded into his own net.

Van Dijk did get a goal back for the champions, rising well to head home from a corner, but Cole Palmer’s injury-time penalty sealed a huge win for Chelsea’s Champions League hopes.

Salah endured a surprisingly subdued afternoon at Stamford Bridge and Rooney felt that was down to a ‘really impressive’ performance from Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella.

Anfield hero Salah, who previously played for Chelsea, has enjoyed one of his best ever seasons – scoring 33 goals and making 23 assists in all competitions – but struggled to make an impact against his former club.

‘I was really impressed with Marc Cucurella,’ ex-Manchester United and England striker Rooney said on BBC’s Match of the Day 2.

‘I really liked how aggressive he was against Mohamed Salah. He was right in Salah’s face all afternoon, he didn’t give him any time on the ball. 

‘Salah can obviously hurt players if he faces you up but Cucurella didn’t let that happen. He kept winning the ball and driving forward, he didn’t really give Salah any joy. 

‘I think he won the ball back nine times which was more than any other player on the pitch. He was just really aggressive and I think you need to be against Salah because he will cause you massive problems if you give him time. 

‘Mo Salah can make you look silly but Cucurella didn’t fear him at all. I was really impressed with him.’ 

Eyebrows were raised when Chelsea spent over £60m to sign Cucurella from Brighton in 2022 but the Euro 2024 winner has developed into a key player for the west London side.

The win saw Chelsea move level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle United with three games remaining.

Qualifying for the Champions League is a huge target for Maresca’s side but Chelsea are not ready for Europe’s top competition, according to Nigel Reo-Coker.

‘You would have to say they are still in it but there are still a lot more questions about this Chelsea team,’ the ex-Premier League midfielder told BBC Radio 5 Live.

‘Just on the game against Liverpool, they took 45 minutes to get going and then they missed some real good chances.

‘Whether it is the Premier League celebration hangover. Chelsea were let off the hook in this game. It’s going to come down to Newcastle v Chelsea next [weekend] when they play each other.

‘Whoever wins that will be the one who makes it [into the Champions League positions]. I would put my money more so on Newcastle.

‘From their performances and from the way they look. They have won the League Cup this year and they have got tunnel vision.

‘With Chelsea, there are still quite a few questions. I don’t think they are strong enough defensively.’

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Wayne Rooney singled out one Chelsea defender for praise after Mohamed Salah was kept quiet in the Blues’ victory over Liverpool.

Liverpool were beaten 3-1 by Enzo Maresca’s side in their first game since being crowned Premier League champions.

The Reds looked understandably off the pace a week on from celebrating a 20th English league title and it took Chelsea just three minutes to take the lead, Enzo Fernandez slotting home following a superb move involving Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto.

Chelsea doubled their lead with 20 minutes remaining when an attempted clearance from Virgil van Dijk hit Jarell Quansah and rebounded into his own net.

Van Dijk did get a goal back for the champions, rising well to head home from a corner, but Cole Palmer’s injury-time penalty sealed a huge win for Chelsea’s Champions League hopes.

Salah endured a surprisingly subdued afternoon at Stamford Bridge and Rooney felt that was down to a ‘really impressive’ performance from Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella.

Anfield hero Salah, who previously played for Chelsea, has enjoyed one of his best ever seasons – scoring 33 goals and making 23 assists in all competitions – but struggled to make an impact against his former club.

‘I was really impressed with Marc Cucurella,’ ex-Manchester United and England striker Rooney said on BBC’s Match of the Day 2.

‘I really liked how aggressive he was against Mohamed Salah. He was right in Salah’s face all afternoon, he didn’t give him any time on the ball. 

‘Salah can obviously hurt players if he faces you up but Cucurella didn’t let that happen. He kept winning the ball and driving forward, he didn’t really give Salah any joy. 

‘I think he won the ball back nine times which was more than any other player on the pitch. He was just really aggressive and I think you need to be against Salah because he will cause you massive problems if you give him time. 

‘Mo Salah can make you look silly but Cucurella didn’t fear him at all. I was really impressed with him.’ 

Eyebrows were raised when Chelsea spent over £60m to sign Cucurella from Brighton in 2022 but the Euro 2024 winner has developed into a key player for the west London side.

The win saw Chelsea move level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle United with three games remaining.

Qualifying for the Champions League is a huge target for Maresca’s side but Chelsea are not ready for Europe’s top competition, according to Nigel Reo-Coker.

‘You would have to say they are still in it but there are still a lot more questions about this Chelsea team,’ the ex-Premier League midfielder told BBC Radio 5 Live.

‘Just on the game against Liverpool, they took 45 minutes to get going and then they missed some real good chances.

‘Whether it is the Premier League celebration hangover. Chelsea were let off the hook in this game. It’s going to come down to Newcastle v Chelsea next [weekend] when they play each other.

‘Whoever wins that will be the one who makes it [into the Champions League positions]. I would put my money more so on Newcastle.

‘From their performances and from the way they look. They have won the League Cup this year and they have got tunnel vision.

‘With Chelsea, there are still quite a few questions. I don’t think they are strong enough defensively.’

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Chelsea welcome the newly-crowned champions to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues take on the champions this afternoon.