West Ham manager David Moyes was furious this week over a decision he believes gave Liverpool an unfair advantage.
Due to FIFA regulations, he scored in the goalless draw with Brighton after Mohamed Kudus and Nayef Aguerd qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations.
On the other hand, Liverpool used Mohamed Salah in the match against Newcastle the previous day and entered the tournament after Salah scored two goals. Moyes was disappointed as he felt it was not fair that Kudus or Aguerde were not available.
Moyes: “Last night when Salah played for Liverpool, we weren’t allowed to play our own players for some reason. It’s weird that we’re playing on January 2nd. “Couldn’t we have played the first game so our African players could play as well?” He continued: “I think it’s wrong. I wonder why we can’t have African players like everyone else. Now I don’t understand why you play the game and some players get penalized because they can’t play the game. Overall we had a great Christmas period in terms of points and we are delighted to have won all three.
There was a draw, including against Arsenal and Manchester United. For the first time this season, we look really worn and tired tonight. “We acted like we didn’t want the ball and Brighton put a lot of pressure on us so I’d like to thank the players for holding on but I want them to improve and I know they have to.”Salah’s two goals were instrumental in Liverpool’s rise to the top of the Premier League.
The striker turned his attention to Egypt and was delighted to end the first half of the season on a high note.”I want to win this game. I want to win. But I am confident that the [Liverpool] players will win without me. “We have fantastic players, they have very good quality, they just need to get off the pressure and play their football,” he told Sky Sports.
There are players who can play in my position and do what I do.
Playing for my country means a lot and I feel good. Every time I put on my national team uniform and go out on the field, it’s normal for me. “I am happy to participate in the tournament and I want to win. I miss my city. During the break, I asked, “Do you want to go to the national team with this art?” I thought about this. no way! So I had to focus, step up and make a difference and I did.”
