London (AFP) – Mohamed Salah set a new Premier League record of 32 goals in a 38-game season to guarantee Liverpool’s place back in the Champions League next season by beating Brighton 4-0 at Anfield on Sunday.
Victory for Liverpool meant it didn’t matter what fifth-placed Chelsea did at Newcastle, but they failed to put any sort of pressure on the Champions League finalists by succumbing limply to a 3-0 defeat at St. James’s Park.
At the other end of the table, Swansea’s seven-season stay in the Premier League came to an end as they were relegated to the Championship after a 2-1 defeat by Stoke.
Liverpool are aiming for a sixth European Cup when they face they might of Real Madrid in the Champions League final on May 26.
But Jurgen Klopp’s men know even if they fall short in Kiev, they will be back in the Champions League next season as they blew Brighton away.
“I’m really proud of the boys, a nearly perfect season,” said Klopp. “We had no chance to challenge Man City so the only thing you can go for is a Champions League spot. It is a big thing.”
Salah eased any nerves by swivelling to strike his first goal in four games on 26 minutes to take his tally in all competitions this season to 44.
“Now we are in the Champions League next season and I won the award too, so (I’m) very proud,” said Salah on being awarded the Golden Boot prize for the Premier League’s top scorer.
Dejan Lovren made the game safe with a towering header just before half-time and Salah then turned provider for Dominic Solanke to slam home his first Liverpool goal.
Liverpool were allowed to rest easy with Salah and Sadio Mane withdrawn before Andy Robertson added a fourth.
Chelsea gave themselves no chance of usurping Liverpool into fourth as they slumped to a 10th Premier League defeat of the season in the north-east.
Dwight Gayle and two goals for Ayoze Perez piled ever more pressure on Chelsea boss Antonio Conte just six days ahead of what could be the Italian’s final game in charge in the FA Cup final against Manchester United.
– City hit 100 –
Champions Manchester City have broken the Premier League record for wins, points and goals this season and set another landmark by becoming the first side in English top flight history to reach 100 points as Gabriel Jesus struck a dramatic late winner to beat Southampton 1-0.
The post Salah steers Liverpool into Champions League at Chelsea’s expense appeared first on World Soccer Talk.
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