Mohamed Salah felt Liverpool s players were not protected from Monterrey s very aggressive tactics in the Reds Club World Cup semi-final victory on Wednesday.
Liverpool advanced to the Club World Cup final in Doha with a 2-1 success as substitute Roberto Firmino scored a 91st-minute winner midweek.
Jurgen Klopp s Liverpool had taken the lead through Naby Keita, but a side missing influential defender Virgil van Dijk through illness were pegged back by Rogelio Funes Mori, with the Champions League holders requiring an in-form Alisson to remain on level terms thereafter.
Salah felt the Reds were good value for their win, though he was unhappy with Chilean referee Roberto Tobar s handling of the game and Monterrey s tactics.
The Mexican side had two players booked Jesus Gallardo and Leonel Vangioni to Liverpool s one caution, but Klopp s side committed 13 fouls to their opponents nine.
I think it was a tough game, Salah told a news conference.
They were very aggressive against us and all of us were complaining about our legs and they were really aggressive.
I think the referee doesn t protect us too much. But I m not here to complain about it.
I think in the end we showed our quality and we won in the last minute. I think we deserved it.
THESE REDS
— Liverpool FC (@LFC)
Egypt international Salah was the star attraction for the crowd in Qatar and he was awarded the man-of-the-match award having set up Keita s opener and played a big part in Firmino s winner.
I think all the stadium today was Egyptian, Salah added.
I can hear that today. I feel support everywhere, I m happy about that.
I always feel love when they call my name, I feel support from them. I m happy to hear that from them.
