Liverpool’s star winger Mohamed Salah says winning both the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles in one season is his main ambition, adding that winning the Golden Boot award for a third time will be harder than before.

"It was important to win those individual awards, but I am always saying that the Premier League, the Champions League and team trophies come first,” Salah was quoted as saying by Liverpool Echo on Tuesday.

"The ambition for me is to win both. We won the Champions League alone [in 2018] and then the Premier League last season. My ambition is to win both [in the same season],” he added.

The 28-year old is expected to feature in Wednesday's Champions League match against Atalanta after missing Sunday’s league win over Leicester City after testing positive for coronavirus.

Salah, who won the Premier League Golden Boot for the competition’s top scorer twice in the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons, believes he should focus on replicating his achievements regardless of any criticism.

"I think it is hard to do it the first time, but it is harder to do it for the second time and even harder to do it for the third time," the Pharaohs star explained.

"Some people will always complain. They will say 'he is good at that but he is not good in that part'.

"You just need to carry on and do your things and I am very proud that I am doing that.

"Goals, assists... I feel good about it and while it is a little bit harder, it is our job and we need to go out there and perform” he added.

Jota praise

Salah has made his best start to a season since joining the Reds in 2017, netting 10 goals in 13 games, including eight Premier League goals.

The influential attacking trio of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino played an instrumental role in Liverpool’s success in the past three seasons, but the superb performances of Portuguese winger Diogo Jota since his arrival from Wolves in the summer might be a reminder that their regular place must not be taken for granted.

Jota quickly established himself at Liverpool, scoring eight goals in all competitions.

In Salah’s absence during Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Leicester City, Jota shone again, scoring the second to take his Premier League tally to four goals.

"We are happy for him," Salah said of Jota. "As team-mates we are trying to push each other every day in training, so to see someone come in and score goals you feel also happy for him because you feel he is going to help your team and to make it easier for us up front."

"Hopefully that will happen again and again and again. Scoring a few goals is a good way for him to start here maybe with confidence.

"To have someone else who can score goals is a great option for us. Now with Diogo we can play four together or we could still play three."

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