The Reds lost the 2018 UEFA Champions League final to Real Madrid when the Egyptian winger left the playground early after then-skipper Sergio Ramos tackled Mo violently by grabbing his arm, leaving him with a serious shoulder injury.
“Most of Liverpool’s players wished to face Real Madrid in the 2022 Champions League final as we played more games against Manchester City,” Salah told a television programme early on Thursday.
Real Madrid booked their place in the final after beating Man City 6-5 in the semifinal in aggregate, while Liverpool reached the final after defeating Villarreal 5-2 in aggregate.
“I preferred to face Real Madrid because of what happened in 2018 and because they are the strongest historical team in the tournament,” the Egyptian star added.
“I am confident that the 2022 final will differ from the 2018 edition, as we suffered in the previous edition from some absences and Real Madrid deserved to win the game,” Salah said.
“Real Madrid are a big team who have a one of the best coaches in the world and brilliant players, so you can’t underestimate them, but the final will be played in one game and I hope to be crowned with the title,” the Liverpool winger said.
The 29-year-old Salah claimed the English Premier League top goal-scorer title for the third time in five seasons, having netted 23 times this season, sharing the same number with Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-Min.
Salah scored 31 goals so far this season, including eight goals in the Champions League.
Salah, who joined Liverpool from AS Roma in the summer of 2017, also won the Golden Boot in 2018 and 2019.
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