Sadio Mane has a big fan in Neil Mellor…
Our former striker, who now works as a pundit and commentator, specifically picked out the Senegalese summer signing for praise ahead of the new campaign.
Mane cost us £34m from Southampton and has been a regular throughout the pre-season fixtures – and is expected to play against Barcelona at Wembley today.
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He’s yet to score a goal during the friendlies, but has impressed with his pace and direct running. Mellor is in no doubt that the 24-year-old will begin to find the back of the net once the campaign gets under way
“He seems to have settled in to Liverpool in pre-season,” our former forward told the official website.
“He has an idea, having worked with Jürgen Klopp and the players, what his role is going to be within the team. He has predominantly been out on the right hand side.
“He is going to offer goals, but it’s that teamwork ethic that he will really bring to Liverpool this season.
“There’s no question Mane will create and score many goals this season. But it’s the defensive side of the game which shows his work-rate. It’s paramount for a team.”
Mellor never fulfilled the hope fans had for him when he was bagging goals in at reserve level, but will be forever remembered for his contributions in 2004/05, when he bagged a last minute against Arsenal in front of the Kop and played a role in Steven Gerrard’s thunderbolt v Olympiakos.
Let’s hope Mane can enjoy equally brilliant moments during his Liverpool tenure.