MOHAMED SALAH floored Manchester City again — and then dropped a hint for the FOURTH time this season he will leave Liverpool.
The Egyptian forward sealed a huge victory from the penalty spot on 78 minutes to move the Reds nine points clear at the top.
Salah, who had already set up Cody Gakpo’s first-half opener, said afterwards he believed “in his head” it will be the last time he faces Pep Guardiola’s men at Anfield — so was determined to enjoy it.
The 32-year-old forward is out of contract in the summer and said last month there is no offer on the table to extend his stay on Merseyside beyond eight years.
Salah said: “Honestly that’s what’s in my head — this is in all probability the last City game I will play for Liverpool so I am just going to enjoy it.
“The atmosphere was incredible so I will enjoy every second here.
“Hopefully we just win the league and will see what will happen.”
Salah is believed to be looking for a new three-year deal at Anfield and will want similar terms to his existing contract.
So far the club’s owners, FSG, have refused to bow to his wage demands and he knows there would be mega money on offer in the Saudi Pro League.
He again underlined his importance to the Reds and their title pursuit as he took his tally for the season to 13.
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If this campaign does prove to be his swansong then he looks likely to sign off in style with the Reds now 11 points ahead of City, who saw Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal move into second spot on goal difference.
Salah said of his Anfield experience and the crucial victory: “It’s very special. I don’t take it for granted. I’m enjoying every minute here. It feels like home.
“It’s always a special feeling always scoring at Anfield and winning games. We know that City are going to come and try to win the game here but we managed to play a good game and win.”
While Salah took the headlines, Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk, was also outstanding as four-in-a-row champions City barely threatened and have now slipped to fifth place in the table.
The Dutch centre back — another whose contract is ticking down along with right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold — said there is still a long way to go despite their huge gap.
Van Dijk said: “We focus on the next game. That’s the only thing we can do.
“There’s no point at this stage of the season to get ahead of ourselves. Of course, everybody wants to be in a position where they are 11 points in front of their opponents.
“But there’s so many twists and turns. We have injuries to our team unfortunately and we have to deal with that as well.
“It is game-by-game and stay calm. But when you win games like this it is always a good feeling.”
Dutch forward Gakpo added a strike against the English champs to the one he got against European kings Real Madrid in midweek — following the late win against Southampton the previous weekend.
But there is no time for the Merseysiders to celebrate as they go to Newcastle on Wednesday night and then have a Merseyside derby next weekend and Gakpo said: “It was a big week for us and we won all three of them.
“Life is good. We’re winning games as a team so it feels good. But everyone knows the season is not over yet. We have to stay focussed.
“Recover well, sleep good, train hard. It’s working until now and we still have to do that and keep each other sharp.”
Liverpool fully deserved their win as City’s recent slump continued — losing a sixth game in their last seven matches.
Gakpo added: “I will not say they are low on confidence but they are not in their best moments. In some moments they showed they are so good on the ball.”
