Salah wants to face Real Madrid in Champions League final after 2018 pain

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah prefers to play Real Madrid in the Champions League final rather than face Premier League rivals Manchester City.

The Egyptian attacker helped end Villarreal's hopes of a comeback in Tuesday's semifinal, setting up Fabinho's goal in a 3-2 win at Estadio de la Ceramica. Following the second-leg victory, Liverpool advanced with a 5-2 aggregate scoreline.

City currently hold a 4-3 advantage over Real Madrid in the other semifinal. The teams meet at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday to decide who takes on Liverpool at the Stade de France on May 28.

"I want to play Madrid. I have to be honest," Salah told BT Sport after Liverpool reached the final. "City's a really tough team, we played against them a few times this season, but I think, if you ask me personally, I would prefer Madrid."

Liverpool and Salah have painful memories from meeting Real Madrid in the 2018 final. A tearful Salah was withdrawn in the 31st minute after dislocating his shoulder in a contentious challenge with Sergio Ramos. Liverpool went on to lose 3-1 to the Gareth Bale-inspired Blancos in Kyiv.

"Hopefully, we'll win it from them as well," Salah said of the potential rematch.

The Reds are still competing for four major honors this season. After hoisting the League Cup in February, Liverpool have incredibly kept their other pursuits for silverware alive as they prepare for finals in the Champions League and FA Cup. They also sit just one point behind Manchester City in the Premier League table.

"Yeah, for sure," Salah replied when asked if his main target for the team was to win the quadruple. "Maybe not in the beginning of the season because, I'm always honest, I always focus on the Champions League and Premier League, but now we are close for everything, so why not?"