[b]Liverpool ended the English Premier League 2017/18 season on a high as they hammered visiting Brighton 4-0 at Anfield to secure a Champions League spot for next season.

It was an emphatic win and an impressive performance on a perfect sunny day at Anfield and Klopp’s men rode on even after the final whistle, soaking up the celebratory atmosphere with the Champions League final against the defending champions Real Madrid in the offing, May 26.

“Two weeks break is perfect for us,” said Klopp.”We’ll be ready for the final. This group of players really deserves it. They keep moving to the next level.”

Mohamed Salah was the centre of attraction as hopes of his scoring on the last day of the football season was a subject of discourse prior to the encounter. There was the Golden Boot for the Premier League’s top scorer to be presented, the club’s player of the year trophy too. The forward was clearly touched and he shared the moment with his wife and young daughter.

It was his record goal that set the Reds on course to push off the threat Brighton could possibly pose.
Liverpool needed the win, at worst a draw to seal a fourth placed finish ahead of Chelsea who hoped for a slip from the Reds, but Newcastle thumped the Blues 3-0 at Saint James’ Park.

Salah went away with lots of awards; a player signed from Roma for £34m last summer. He went on to break the Premier League record netting his 44th in 51 games for Liverpool in all competitions this season.

[b]Alan Shearer scored 31 Premier League goals for Blackburn in 1995-96 season, Cristiano Ronaldo achieved same feat during his time at Manchester United in 2007-08, and former Liverpool forward Luis Suarez scored 31 times in 2013-14.

Hours before the last game of the season, Salah added the Premier League player of the season award to the other two major individual prizes he’s won this year – the PFA Player of the Year and Football Writers’ Association Football of the Year awards.

Salah hopes to end the season lifting the Uefa Champions League with Liverpool on May 26 in Kiev. It will be a moment to relish should they beat defending champions Real Madrid to the title.

Brighton manager Chris Hughton feels proud of his team’s achievement as many saw them as a potential candidate for the Championship next season but they truly fought hard to see them remain with the Premier League’s status.

Their impressive 3-0 thumping of West Ham in October, a 2-1 victory over the Gunners in March and getting to the quarter final of the prestigious FA Cup only to lose to Manchester United were their proud moments; not to forget their sweet revenge against the ‘Red devils’ in the EPL as they beat Unit[/b]ed 1-0 on May 4.[/b]


The lows in the season were having seven match-winless run which saw them dropped and finished 15th on the table. They would have earned £21.4m if they had finished 10th, a position they occupied on March 4, but however finishing fifteenth saw them receive £11.6m.

What the managers say:
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told BBC Sport: “The boys had pressure on them – massive pressure for the last few weeks.it was fantastic to qualify for the Champions League. It’s a massive achievement.

“We did it in an impressive manner. We tried to win the game from the first second. A point was enough but I have no real idea how to go for a point.

“We could have scored more but I’m glad we didn’t. Brighton did not deserve that after a really good season.
“James Milner (who was left out of the squad) will be fine, just today was a bit early for him.

“I had no clue about (Salah’s) record. I took him off and then I heard that Tottenham had scored five – Harry Kane could have got them all! He has been brilliant and he can improve so much. He will score in the future, 100%.”

Brighton boss Chris Hughton spoke to BBC Sport: “It was a very hard afternoon for us. We knew when we came here we would have to play at a very high level and stay in the game but they caused us so many problems.

“They only disappointment was that we didn’t keep possession well enough today. The season as a whole, we have been in nearly every game and we have had good performances against big clubs.

“We find it hard playing the top six away from home but our season shows more good than bad.”


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