Luis Diaz has praised Mohamed Salah after the Egyptian scored the winner in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Girona
Liverpool's Luis Diaz speaks to the media after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Girona FC and Liverpool FC at Montilivi Stadium (Image: Photo by Alex Caparros – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Luis Diaz has praised Mohamed Salah as 'extraordinary' as the Egyptian fired Liverpool to a 1-0 win over Girona. The 32-year-old scored a second-half penalty to maintain the Reds' 100% winning record in the Champions League stage.
The goal was Salah's 50th career goal in the Champions League, while he now has 16 goals and 12 assists from just 22 appearances this season. No player in Europe's top five leagues can better his return of 28 goals.
Salah was given the opportunity to score from the spot after Donny van de Beek was judged to have fouled Diaz in the penalty area. However, the penalty was only awarded after a VAR review.
And Diaz was never in doubt that it was the right decision to award Liverpool a penalty, as he paid tribute to his fellow striker and admitted he considers it a privilege to play alongside Salah at Anfield.
“The penalty was certain it was because I was trying to hit the goal and I felt that when he stepped on me,” Diaz told TNT Sports Mexico. “But obviously I didn't have in mind who the player was, but he stepped too hard on me, from my shin to my ankle.
“My shoe came off so I knew it was a penalty when they went to assess it so it was very clear it was going to be a penalty
“It's crazy, his (Salah) numbers are unbelievable. He is an extraordinary player. A player who motivates you to play well.
“It's good that you learn a lot from him because he plays next to you and it's a privilege, so I'm also very happy for him because of what he achieves.
“This isn't just today or yesterday. He has been doing the same thing for years and several seasons, so it is clear that he will continue like this.”
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