Mane promises goal threat will keep defenders on their toes

FORWARD Sadio Mane is confident Liverpool will continue to cause problems for defenders in t he latter stages of t he Champions League — although first they have to get into the knockout stages.

Heading into the final round of group matches, Jurgen Klopp’s side are the secondhighest scorers in the competition with their 16 from five games bettered only by Paris St Germain’s remarkable 25 goals.

The Reds are only two short of their best group stage tally achieved in 2007/08 and that firepower should be enough to secure them the point they need at home to Spartak Moscow to make the last 16 for the first time since 2009.

Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah both have five European goals apiece with the other members of their key attacking quartet Mane and Philippe Coutinho contributing one and two respectively.

Liverpool have put 10 past Maribor in two matches and scored three in Seville last time out and Mane hopes that kind of threat will keep opposition teams on their toes.

“I think we have scored more goals than many big teams,” he said.

“It is important to score goals and win the games. It doesn’t matter to us (who scores), we just want to win the games.

“We are working hard every single day to be difficult for the defenders. We’re going to try to do our best and cause as many problems as we can for the defenders.

“It is very important for us to be in the Champions League. It is the dream of each player in the world. The fans deserve it, the club also.

“Liverpool is a big and great club — we want to play a big part in the Champions League. We want to go as far as we can.”

Mane is set to return to the side having been an unused substitute in Saturday’s 5-1 win at Brighton after playing the starring role in the win at Stoke four days earlier.

With a virtually fully-fit squad, the Senegal international accepts rotation is something every player will have to get used to, even if it is frustrating.

“Honestly, I won’t lie. Every player would love to play every single game, every single weekend. That is our job and we are still young,” he added.

“But we have a good team and I am happy to respect the decision of the coach. The team is always more important.”

While a point will be enough at Anfield, victory would see Liverpool top Group E.