LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Mohamed Salah ripped off his Liverpool jersey at a freezing Anfield after completing a 2-0 victory over Manchester United in stoppage time on Sunday and rousing fans on the Kop to sing: “We’re gonna win the league.”
It’s been a 30-year wait but there is no longer any trepidation from the Liverpool supporters as their team has moved 16 points in front at the Premier League summit.
“Now you’re gonna believe us,” they chanted.
It took Salah getting on the end of goalkeeper Alisson’s inspired long ball with the final whistle about to blow for the Liverpool title party to begin with four months of the season remaining.
Although Liverpool only held a slender lead heading into stoppage time — after Virgil van Dijk’s 14th minute header — the ineffective United attack meant this victory never appeared in doubt.
Liverpool could even afford to have two goals ruled out, as well as Salah scuffing a shot and captain Jordan Henderson hitting the post.
Liverpool is closing in on a 19th English title, one behind the record haul United built with 13 Premier League successes under Alex Ferguson.
But it is United’s neighbor Manchester City that is the nearest but still distant challenger to Liverpool, 16 points behind in second place in its ailing title defense.
United is 30 points back in fifth place, with closing the five-point gap on the fourth Champions League place the mission rather than winning the Premier League under Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
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