Moriya started quickly on the back nine on Friday with two birdies in her first four holes of the round at the Wilshire Country Club course to reach a total of eight-under 134.

“I just tried to hit fairways and greens. That’s the key for this week. That’s what I try to do,” the former LPGA rookie of the year Moriya said.

American Marina Alex is alone in second after shooting a 68 for a seven-under total while two time major winner Ryu So-yeon is in the hunt two shots back of Moriya after a 65.

Seven time major champion Park In-bee is tied for fourth with South Korean compatriot Ji Eun-hee at five-under 137.

Ko Jin-young shot a 67 and is alone in sixth as five of the top six players are from South Korea to the delight of the galleries this week because Los Angeles is home to a huge South Korean expat community.

Moriya, who also has a sister Ariya on the Tour, rocketed to the top of the leaderboard with a burst of three straight birdies on her back nine.

This is just the second time in her career Moriya has held the 36-hole lead. The first was last season at the Evian Championship, where she finished just one stroke away from making a playoff between Anna Nordqvist and Brittany Altomare.

Last week’s tournament champ Brooke Henderson of Canada stumbled to an eight-over 79 and missed the cut along with former major champions Anna Nordqvist, Stacy Lewis and Juli Inkster.

Also making its highly-anticipated debut is the all-new five rope ring, which served as the proving ground for both ONE Super Series and ONE Championship bouts. In the main event, Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon of Baguio City, Philippines defeated American Andrew Leone by technical knockout. In the co-main event of the blockbuster card, Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan earned a unanimous decision victory over Jo Nattawut.

In the main event of the evening, Team Lakay’s Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon dazzled once again with another ferocious display of striking, obliterating opponent Andrew Leone of the United States within two rounds. Action was fierce and relentless from start to finish, and began with Belingon swarming Leone from the sound of the opening bell. As the American tried desperately to stave off attacks which came from all directions, Belingon continued to put on the pressure. In the second round, Belingon connected on a thunderous spinning side kick that sent Leone to the canvas, where he followed and unloaded an unending volley of strikes to earn the technical knockout victory and the GoDaddy KO of the Night.

In the co-main event of ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, international kickboxing superstar Giorgio “The Doctor” Petrosyan made a spectacular ONE Championship debut, outworking former Lion Fight World Champion “Smokin’” Jo Nattawut of Thailand. In an offensive clinic against Nattawut, Petrosyan tore apart his opponent with the surgical precision he has become known for, putting together dynamic punch combinations in addition to his pinpoint accurate kicks. Answering every strike that Nattawut unleashed, Petrosyan outworked his opponent to pick up a unanimous decision win in his first bout for ONE Super Series.

The stunning career resurgence of former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario as a lightweight division mainstay continued at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, where he edged out perennial contender Adrian Pang after three rounds. Banario showcased his pinpoint striking early on, peppering Pang with his patented left hook and razor-sharp kicks. Although Pang boldly traded strikes with his Filipino foe and found success in landing hard body shots, Banario showed superiority in ring generalship, creating spaces to clobber his opponent with long jabs and snapping kicks to the body. As Pang stepped on the gas pedal and pressed the action in the third round, Banario’s intelligent movement notched him a split decision.

Making his ONE Super Series debut, legendary Nong-O Gaiyanghadao of Thailand took on former two-time WBC Muay Thai World Champion Fabio Pinca of Lyon, France in a spirited Muay Thai contest featuring plenty of action and excitement. The two traded their best shots in three solid rounds of action, but it was Gaiyanghadao who showcased superior technique, plastering Pinca with thudding left kicks to the midsection and scoring with his patented sweeps. In the end, all three judges ruled the bout in favor of Gaiyanghadao, earning the former four-time Lumpinee Stadium champion a unanimous decision victory.

Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Marat “Cobra” Gafurov made quick work of up-and-coming American featherweight contender Emilio Urrutia, winning by way of first-round submission, placing himself back on the winning track. Returning to his stellar and fearsome form as a highly-touted competitor, Gafurov showcased his world-class grappling once again, effortlessly putting Urrutia to sleep courtesy of a wrenching arm triangle choke.

Rekindling the intense rivalry between South Korea and Japan, former world title challenger Dae Hwan Kim came out on top against Japanese legend Masakazu Imanari, winning by unanimous decision. Driven to victory against a grappling wizard like Imanari, Kim intelligently avoided putting himself at risk in his opponent’s submission wheelhouse and exerted his best effort to dictate the action from the stand-up. Although Imanari found a way to bring matters to the ground, Kim made sure that he had sturdy top control, with the leverage to rain down quick but solid ground-and-pound. After three gruelling rounds, all judges at ringside saw the bout in favor of Kim.

Cosmo Alexandre left a lasting impression in his ONE Super Series debut, defeating Elliot Compton in their Muay Thai clash by way of second round knockout. The long-limbed Brazilian dynamo aced his maiden ONE Super Series assignment with flying colors, bringing down Compton with a shattering uppercut and a follow-up knee strike to the body. Reeling in excruciating pain, Compton failed to answer the count of ten, compelling the referee to wave off the bout, declaring Alexandre the victor via knockout in the second round.

In a bout that lasted just under two minutes, ONE Championship debutants Akihiro “Superjap” Fujisawa and Kaji “Alpha” Ebin walked out to the ring looking to engage. At the opening bell, Ebin marched forward wanting to trade strikes, but it was Fujisawa who would score on a single-leg takedown. Not long after, Ebin began complaining about a dislocated shoulder. At that point, referee Yuji Shimada called a halt to the contest after Ebin could no longer continue due to injury, which awarded Fujisawa with the submission victory.

In the first ONE Super Series bout of the evening, Regian Eersel impressively marched to a unanimous decision victory over Brad Riddell in a three-round kickboxing contest. Banking on his height and length, Eersel effortlessly pummeled Riddell with lashing strikes, including a solid knee to the midsection that dropped the Auckland, New Zealand native to the mat in the second round. Eersel closed out the final round of the match on a strong note, limiting Riddell’s offense with his counter strikes. In the end, Eersel was awarded a unanimous decision victory.

After falling short in her last outing, Gina Iniong of Team Lakay redeemed herself in front of a passionate hometown crowd, claiming a unanimous decision victory over former world title contender Jenny Huang. Iniong savored every strike that she threw at Huang as the latter gallantly traded shots with the highly-decorated Filipina wushu practitioner. Huang tried to change the complexion of the contest in the second round as she resorted to her grappling expertise, but Iniong surprisingly overpowered the submission specialist on the mat. In the final round, Iniong continued to wear out Huang on the ground, working her way towards a hard-earned decision victory.

Kicking off ONE: HEROES OF HONOR was a riveting three-round strawweight showdown between Indonesian standout Adrian Mattheis and China’s Lan Ming Qiang. Setting up a promising tone for the evening, both men went back-and-forth from bell to bell, exchanging thunderous strikes in the stand-up department while shooting for powerful takedowns. In the end, Mattheis dominated his opponent, emerging triumphant via unanimous decision.

Official results for ONE: HEROES OF HONOR

Bantamweight bout: Kevin Belingon defeats Andrew Leone by TKO (Strikes) at 1:27 minutes of round 2

ONE Super Series Kickboxing catchweight bout (70.0kg): Giorgio Petrosyan defeats Jo Nattawut by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Lightweight bout: Honorio Banario defeats Adrian Pang by Split Decision (SD) after 3 rounds

ONE Super Series Muay Thai catchweight bout (67.0kg): Nong-O Gaiyanghadao defeats Fabio Pinca by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Featherweight bout: Marat Gafurov defeats Emilio Urrutia by Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) at 2:34 minutes of round 1

Bantamweight bout: Dae Hwan Kim defeats Masakazu Imanari by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

ONE Super Series Muay Thai lightweight bout: Cosmo Alexandre defeats Elliot Compton by Knockout (KO) at 2:41 minutes of round 2

Catchweight bout (63.0kg): Akihiro Fujisawa defeats Kaji Ebin by Submission (Verbal) at 1:48 minutes of round 1

ONE Super Series Kickboxing catchweight bout (78.0kg): Regian Eersel defeats Brad Riddell by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Women’s atomweight bout: Gina Iniong defeats Jenny Huang by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Strawweight bout: Adrian Mattheis defeats Lan Ming Qiang by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Goals from the prolific Li Ying, Wang Shanshan and Song Duan helped seal the comprehensive victory, one which will undoubtedly offer Siggi Eyjolfsson’s charges a degree of recompense following their failure to reach the final.

For Thailand, meanwhile, the defeat brought an end to the Southeast Asians’ impressive continental outing as they bowed out of the tournament with their heads held high and reputation unquestionably enhanced.

China had never lost to Thailand in 13 previous meetings, and it was the East Asians who looked the brighter of the two teams early on with a fierce Gu Yasha drive forcing goalkeeper Waraporn Boonsing into a smart save.

Thailand responded through a dipping Nipawan Panyosuk shot which custodian Peng Shimeng did well to tip over, before Song came close to giving China the lead courtesy of a superb volley that flashed narrowly wide of Waraporn’s left-hand post on 15 minutes.

With China continuing to press, influential midfielder Wang Shuang saw her 36th minute strike from 12 yards comfortably gathered by Waraporn and, in the final genuine chance of the half, tournament leading scorer Li Ying’s scuffed effort from close-range was once again held by the impressive Waraporn.

The breakthrough duly came six minutes after the restart, Li Danyang’s astute pass finding Li Ying who turned and unleashed a terrific shot that nestled into the corner of the net to register her seventh goal of the competition.

Worse was to come for Thailand however, as first Wang Shanshan reacted quickest to turn the ball home after Waraporn had parried Ren Guixin’s initial effort, and then Song made it 3-0 from 25 yards following hesitation in the Thai defence with an hour played.

Thailand briefly threatened to stage a stirring comeback when Rattikan Thongsombut netted from close range on 81 minutes after Silawan Intamee’s shot had ricocheted back off both uprights.

It was not to be though for Nuengrutai Srathongivan’s side, as China resolutely held on to confirm the win and leave Jordan as the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018’s third-placed team.

Tributes poured in from players past and present on Friday, as well as Wenger’s adversaries over the past two decades, such as Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho, for his longevity and the revolution in English football he helped inspire.

However, there is no hiding the fact the Frenchman has bowed out now due to increasing calls for him to go from frustrated fans as Arsenal slipped further behind their Premier League rivals in recent seasons.

Arsenal haven’t won the league since Wenger’s crowing achievement in leading “The Invincibles” to an unbeaten league season in 2003/04.

Last season was the first time in 20 years the club didn’t qualify for the Champions League, but they haven’t got beyond the last 16 in that competition since 2010.

Languishing in sixth, Arsenal are also on course for their worst-ever league finish under Wenger this season with any hope of Champions League qualification dependent on winning the Europa League.

The club’s Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis made a long and heartfelt homage to Wenger himself when addressing the media on Friday, but dodged the question several times when quizzed over whether Wenger had walked on his own terms before he was pushed by the board.

And Gazidis recognised a decision had to be reached before the season’s end to give Arsenal a head start of finding Wenger’s successor.

“It’s going to be a condensed summer with a World Cup in the middle and a shortened transfer window, so I think for all of us having that clarity sooner is better,” he said.

– Wide-open field –

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Germany coach Joachim Loew are among the front runners with bookmakers in a wide-open field of contenders.

Gazidis confirmed Arsenal will look for an offensive-minded coach to follow in the footsteps of Wenger’s philosophy.

“It is important to me we continue the football values that Arsene has instilled in the club,” he added.

“I want to see somebody who will continue that for our fans…they want to see aggressive, exciting football that gets people interested and excited in the games we play.”

Getting the fans back onside and back at the Emirates Stadium is a number one priority.

Arsenal fans pay the highest season ticket prices in the Premier League and rising discontent with Wenger has been clearly shown in vast swathes of empty seats for home games since an abject 3-0 League Cup final defeat against Manchester City in February.

There is huge pressure on a beleaguered board, led by unpopular American majority shareholder Stan Kroenke, to make the right call.

While Wenger’s reign has meandered to a disappointing end, Arsenal’s rivals have surged ahead by recruiting some of the best managers in the world in Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Jose Mourinho (Manchester United), Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham) and Antonio Conte (Chelsea).

In spite of Arsenal’s struggles on the field in recent seasons, they remain the sixth richest club in the world, according to financial consultants Deloitte’s annual Football Money League.

Wenger’s reluctance to fold to the booming inflation in football transfer fees and wages was often used as a shield by the board for not splashing out despite huge cash reserves.

That excuse has now also disappeared ahead of what promises to be a summer of transition at the Emirates.

The German third seed came through a marathon final set under the lights just before 9pm to win 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 after two hours and 39 minutes.

Gasquet’s hopes of a first Masters semi-final appearance since 2013 were dashed in an incredible finish, and it will be Zverev who takes on Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the last four.

The world number four is looking for his third Masters title and hoping to bounce back from the disappointment of his final loss to John Isner in Miami.

Gasquet struggled to close out the first set and was broken when 5-2 in front, but did take it in the 10th game on his second set point with an exquisite drop shot.

The 31-year-old saw five break points come and go in the opening game of the second set, and Zverev took full advantage by moving 4-1 ahead.

The birthday boy wrapped up the set with ease to level the match, before breaking in the second game of the decider.

The pair then traded breaks of serve, both of which were sealed by rasping backhands up the line.

Gasquet provided a moment of brilliance to break again, finishing a sublime rally with a magnificent drop volley, only to fail to consolidate it in the following game.

The match looked destined to be decided in a tie-break, but Zverev broke French hearts with a fantastic backhand passing shot to grab his fourth win from four meetings with Gasquet.

A tight match had been anticipated, but Nadal produced one of the most dominant wins of his career as Thiem fell to pieces in the Monaco sunshine.

The Austrian didn’t get on the scoreboard until the 10th game, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

But it was a ruthless performance from the 16-time Grand Slam champion, who has to successfully defend the title this week to remain ahead of Roger Federer at the top of the world rankings.

“Here I think I played great… It has been a great day for me, and a very good result against a very difficult rival,” said Nadal.

The Spaniard is now just two wins away from a record 31st Masters title, after winning 32 consecutive sets on clay.

Nadal will face Grigor Dimitrov in his 13th Monte Carlo semi-final on Saturday, but the Bulgarian will need a massive improvement from his win over David Goffin if he’s to stand a chance of claiming a second career victory against the 10-time champion.

“It’s difficult to play better than today,” admitted Nadal.

“Being honest, I have to recognise that. But my goal is to rest and to try to wake up tomorrow again with the same energy and to go on court with the same mentality, try to play close to the way that I played today.”

Nadal started as if he knew Thiem was a potential threat, holding to love before breaking the 24-year-old at the first time of asking.

Thiem was not serving at the same level he managed in his win over two-time champion Novak Djokovic on Thursday, and although he staved off five break points in game four, he dumped a forehand into the net to gift Nadal a 4-0 lead.

Thiem was struggling, but Nadal barely missed a shot in a near-perfect opening set that he wrapped up with another strong return.

It was the 12th time Nadal had whitewashed a set against a top-10 player, and he got the second set underway with another love hold.

Thiem was wilting in the sweltering conditions and under the pressure from the other side of the net, and then back-to-back miscued forehands saw him lose an eighth straight game.

The Austrian, a two-time French Open semi-finalist, finally held his serve to trail 3-1 and deny Nadal the first 6-0, 6-0 victory of his career on the ATP Tour.

The 31-year-old brought up match point with a searing forehand winner, and completed a 68-minute demolition as Thiem fired a backhand into the net.

– Dimitrov sees off Goffin –

Dimitrov benefitted from a second-set collapse by Goffin to reach the semi-finals for the first time with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) victory.

The 26-year-old Bulgarian got the better of a nervy Goffin in a repeat of last year’s ATP Tour Finals final, coming back from 5-1 down in the second set to secure a match against Nadal.

“Yes, for sure he’s the favourite. Yes, he has a great record. Yes, he’s the best player on clay. That definitely doesn’t discourage me,” said the fourth seed.

Third seed Alexander Zverev celebrated his 21st birthday by edging a late-night thriller with French favourite Richard Gasquet 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.

The German won a marathon final set at 2100 local time to book a semi-final clash with Kei Nishikori.

Zverev is looking for a third Masters title after the disappointment of losing the final in Miami to John Isner earlier this month.

“It was the first time I have played on my birthday, so it’s great to win and to be in the semi-finals,” he said.

Nishikori overcame a blip at the end of the second set to see off second seed Marin Cilic and reach his first Masters semi-final since Canada in July 2016.

The Japanese only returned from a right wrist injury in January, but played one of his best matches this year to beat Cilic 6-4, 6-7 (1/7), 6-3 in a rematch of the Croatian’s 2014 US Open final victory.

The 21-year-old carded five birdies against a lone bogey for a final round of 68 to dominate the par-72 layout with a three-round total of 12 under-par-204 to walk off with the winner’s prize money of Bt142,500.

“I tried to take a good control of myself and I pulled it off. This win will benefit me mentally for my upcoming events,” said Parinda, who now has four Thai LPGA titles to her name.

Parinda said the year so far had been “very positive”.

She signed with new sponsor Volvik and in the process earned herself invites to 10 Korean LPGA events plus a wildcard into the LPGA Volvik Championship in Michigan next month.

“I will try to make the most out of this opportunity. I hope to gain experience from big events that I enter,” said the rising star from Khon Kaen.

“However I plan to enter the Japan Tour Q-School. Earning a card on the Japan Tour is my No 1 priority this year,” she added.

Yupaporn, from Samut Prakarn, fired a closing 69 to finish tied for second with Nakhon Nayok-based Wannasiri (70) after each finished on nine-under 207. They each collected a runners-up cheque for Bt78,730.

The fourth stop on the Thai LPGA Tour is at the Royal Hua Hin Golf Club, from May 1-3.

“After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season,” Wenger said in a statement posted on the club’s website.

“I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years.”

Wenger, 68, won three Premier League titles, leading the only side to go a full league season unbeaten in 2003-04, and lifted seven FA Cups during his tenure.

However, he has been under increasing pressure to step down from the club’s fans for several seasons as Arsenal haven’t won the Premier League for 14 years and risk missing out on Champions League qualification for the second consecutive season.

Arsenal’s only realistic chance of making the Champions League next season is by winning the Europa League where the Gunners face Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals.

“I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high,” added Wenger.

“To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club. My love and support for ever.”

Arsenal’s majority shareholder Stan Kroenke paid tribute to a man of “unparallelled class”.

“Arsene has unparallelled class and we will always be grateful to him. Everyone who loves Arsenal and everyone who loves football owes him a debt of gratitude,” said Kroenke, who took a controlling stake in the club in 2011.

“This is one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport. One of the main reasons we got involved with Arsenal was because of what Arsene has brought to the club on and off the pitch. His longevity and consistency over such a sustained period at the highest level of the game will never be matched.”

Arsenal added that a successor to Wenger will be found “as soon as possible”.

However, Spurs are just as hungry as they aim to end a decade-long wait for a trophy and confirm their consistent improvement under Mauricio Pochettino.

Jose Mourinho’s men tightened their grip on the Premier League runners-up spot this week but a title battle with champions Manchester City never materialised and they limped out of the Champions League in the first knockout stage.

To add to the frustrations of the beleaguered boss, speculation over the future of £89 million ($127 million) midfielder Paul Pogba has dominated headlines in recent weeks.

Often deemed surplus to requirements by Mourinho this season, Pogba showed what he is capable of by scoring twice to help United temporarily delay City’s title party in a thrilling 3-2 Manchester derby win a fortnight ago.

He impressed Mourinho once more in Wednesday’s 2-0 victory at Bournemouth, but in between times was substituted and heavily criticised for his performance in United’s shock defeat against West Brom that gifted the title to City last weekend.

“Top performance. Top performance. Obviously the performance against City was special, coming with two goals,” said the United boss of Pogba, who was retained in the side despite seven changes.

“But this performance was a very similar level. So top performance. He can do it.”

Mourinho won the League Cup and Europa League in his first season at Old Trafford and even delivering just the FA Cup would be a poor return in the eyes of fans who hoped for a Premier League push this season.

But United have a proud tradition in the competition, with 12 wins in their history, just one behind Arsenal.

Spurs are third on the list with eight FA Cup wins, but haven’t won the trophy since 1991, or any silverware since the League Cup in 2008.

Tottenham are, though, on the brink of qualifying for the Champions League for the third straight season.

– ‘Next level’ –

And Pochettino has always insisted that success in the Premier League and the Champions League is a better gauge of how well his side is progressing.

“If we are capable to win the Premier League and the Champions League it is a moment you say the team has improved and reached the next level,” said the Argentine.

“Until that, win the FA Cup or the League Cup, it will be fantastic for our fans but is not going to move the club to a different level.”

Pochettino is sticking to his guns despite evidence that success in domestic cup competitions has been the stepping stone to greater things for other clubs.

United’s FA Cup victory in 1990 laid the foundation for two decades of sustained success under Alex Ferguson while City’s FA Cup win in 2011 ended a 35-year trophy drought and paved the way for the Premier League title the following year.

Spurs go into the match with a comfortable lead over fifth-placed Chelsea in the Premier League, with the dethroned champions likely to miss out on Champions League football next year.

Antonio Conte, widely expected to be in his final few weeks as Chelsea boss, has a more straightforward-looking task on Sunday against relegation-threatened Southampton, who Chelsea came from 2-0 down to beat 3-2 at St. Mary’s last weekend.

The Italian boss is keen to fill in a surprising gap in his CV — despite repeated league success in Italy and England, he has never won a cup.

Conte has been coy when questioned about his future throughout a troubled season, but he urged his players to play for the fans regardless of his own position at the club.

“I was a player, and the players must play every game, and not for me, but for the club, and for the fans,” Conte said.

“They must have great respect for this badge, they don’t have to play for the coach.”

FA Cup semi-finals

Saturday

Manchester United v Tottenham (1615 GMT)

Sunday

Chelsea v Southampton (1400 GMT)

It means the Egypt winger is reluctant to be rested for Saturday’s match at The Hawthorns, even though Reds manager Klopp has to pick a team with Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Roma in mind.

Salah became only the third player to score 40 goals in a season for Liverpool when he struck in last weekend’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth.

He is now just seven short of equalling the all-time club record set by Ian Rush, who struck 47 goals for Liverpool in the 1983/84 season.

Klopp, though, must consider whether to rest Salah for the West Brom fixture, given the match comes three days before the meeting with the winger’s former club Roma.

Klopp decided to leave out several key players for the Premier League match against Merseyside derby rivals Everton on April 7, three days before the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Manchester City, and the move paid off.

Liverpool came away from Goodison Park with a goalless draw to remain on course for a top-four finish, while Salah was given additional time to recover from a groin injury.

Salah then returned to score the vital away goal against City, since crowned champions of the Premier League, that effectively killed off the tie as Klopp’s side won 2-1 at the Etihad to secure a 5-1 aggregate victory.

– ‘Number one for Liverpool’ –

There are no such fitness worries for Salah this time, but it would be understandable if Liverpool chose to focus their energies on the Champions League, given that their domestic position looks secure.

They need a maximum of six points from their final four matches to guarantee a top-four Premier League finish, and they face both of the bottom two clubs in that final run of games.

West Brom, however, are fresh from a morale-boosting victory at Manchester United, and have little to lose now their relegation is all but mathematically confirmed.

Meanwhile Salah is attracted by the prospect of playing at The Hawthorns as he tries to surpass Rush’s mark.

“There’s a big chance to break the record,” said Salah. “To be number one for a club such as Liverpool, it’s something huge.

“I will be very happy if I break it. I want to keep scoring. I want to be number one for the record.”

Salah’s understanding with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane has been a key part of Liverpool’s success this season; they have scored 82 of the club’s 121 goals in all competitions between them.

Liverpool’s defence has been impressive of late too, with just one goal conceded in their past four Premier League matches, during which time Klopp’s team have collected 10 points.

They go into the weekend in third place, 10 points ahead of Chelsea in fifth, and four behind Manchester United in second.

With neither United nor Chelsea in action this weekend because both play in the FA Cup semi-finals, Liverpool have a good opportunity to make their league position even more secure.

As far as Salah is concerned, the priority should be to chase down United for second, rather than worry about Chelsea behind them.

“There are still some games to go and we have to finish second,” he said. “We keep fighting for that and I hope we reach it.

“For me, it’s better to finish second. I know the first four places play in the Champions League next year but it’s always better to finish second than third or fourth.”