Liverpool’s summer acquisition of Sadio Mane is looking like the signing of the season.
At the time, some fans questioned whether we’d overspent by agreeing to part with £30m+ for the Senegalese, but he’s already looking worth double that.
Six goals and two assists in the Premier League to date, as well as blistering, scintillating overall performances, have quashed suggestions that he’s inconsistent and goes missing. In short, he’s barely put a foot wrong.
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According to the player, it’s because his team-mates are superior to his previous ones.
“It is fantastic to play with these great players,” Mane told the Echo.
“I am always pushing myself to train hard every day and give my best for my team.
“Why have I settled so quickly here? That’s a good question.
“I want to thank everyone – my team-mates and the coach as well – for helping me to settle.
“I think that helped me to adapt quickly. I’m happy about that. I always try to improve.
“Firmino and Coutinho are great players so it is easy for me to adapt to play with them. We’ve been playing together for three or four months now.
“But it’s not only about the front three. I think it is about the performance of the whole team and that was great against Watford.”
Before Southampton, Mane played with Red Bull Salzburg and before that Metz, but instead of being overawed by the step up, Mane’s found his level. Countless players move from smaller clubs to bigger ones and struggle initially due to increased expectation, but Mane’s noticeably improved.
In fact, he’s already one of the first names on our team-sheet and fans are already worried by his upcoming absence in January due to the AFCON. Let’s hope Jurgen Klopp can pull another rabbit out of the hat in finding a temporary replacement.