Liverpool's Egyptian star Mo Salah has implored fans to put their "bittersweet" Premier League season behind them and concentrate on capturing European football's biggest prize in a heartfelt social media post.
Liverpool came up short in the Premier League title race on Sunday, losing the title on the final day to rivals Manchester City by just a solitary point but Jurgen Klopp's side can still end the season on a significant high by claiming the Champions League crown on June 1 against Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid.
Salah, whose goals were crucial in both campaigns, will be an integral part of the Merseysiders' bid to win the competition for the sixth time and has asked fans to bring their raucous home support to next month's final at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
"It feels bittersweet now but the season isn’t over," the Premier League's joint top goalscorer wrote on Twitter. "I want to say thank you to my teammates, coaches, and to the fans. And fans, please bring Anfield to Madrid."
The former Roma and Chelsea man scored 22 league goals as Liverpool lost just one Premier League game all season, though Manchester City's 4-1 win away to Brighton on the last day of the season was enough to ensure that the trophy will remain in the north of England for at least another season.
The Egyptian shared the Premier League golden boot with teammate Saido Mane and Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who all ended up on 22 goals.
Also on rt.com So near, yet so far: Liverpool fall agonizingly short on the Premier League's dramatic final dayLiverpool defeated Wolves 2-0 on the final day, their 30th win of a season. Their final points tally of 97 earns them the unfortunate distinction of having the highest final points score without actually winning the championship in the history of the Premier League.
A victory in next month's European showcase though will go a long way to erasing the heartbreak that the Anfield side suffered on the final day of the season, as well as the defeat to Real Madrid in last season's final - a game in which Salah was forced off after suffering an injury in a tangle with Sergio Ramos - likely ensuring that the African Player of the Year will go into the clash with Spurs with a considerable chip on his shoulder.