MANE: I am one of the big stars
NO STOPPING SADIO NOW, SAYS KLOPP
SADIO MANE is now convinced he deserves to be part of football’s elite.
And according to Jurgen Klopp that will allow him to take the next step in his Liverpool career, and join Mo Salah in proving he can reach – and sustain – a world-class level.
The Reds manager has never had any doubt about his Senegal forward’s quality, but he has recognised a new-found confidence in Mane, 26, which he believes is the missing ingredient in allowing him to fulfil huge potential.
“Now he’s much more secure that this is his level,” he said. “The players surprise themselves sometimes. ‘Wow, really? That’s how good I am?’ We all need to show our best and get used to it.
“It’s quality. We have to make sure we can show that every week. Who scores the goals is not too important, but it was very important for us – and very nice for him – that he could do it in the last game (against Crystal Palace).”
Mane has seen his odds slashed to become the Premier League’s top scorer, after outstanding displays in scoring three goals in his first two games this season.
And that has come on the back of a fine performance in the Champions League final, where he scored Liverpool’s goal and was their best player, even in heartbreaking defeat.
There is a swagger in his play and confidence he is a key player – which was seen for Senegal at the World Cup – and Klopp also believes the African has embraced a pivotal role in the team that makes him such an important figure for the Reds.
“Sadio’s a very consistent player for us. His work-rate is great,” the German manager said.
“We have a very strange 4-5-1 formation with Sadio as a midfielder, Bobby (Firmino) being a midfielder, more or less, and Mo being a striker, even though he plays in a little different position. “We talk about the defensive work-rate they put in, that’s really important.”
Klopp (with Mane, left) is also confident the ex-Southampton star will sign a new contract with Liverpool. Mane is the last of the club’s top players in agreeing a new deal, with talks ongoing, but the manager remains relaxed and happy with the situation, as the forward still has three years remaining.
With just about every one of their stars signed up on four or fiveyear deals, Klopp added: “It’s a good age group. That’s all positive, right? With Sadio, it’s not that his contract ends tomorrow.”