Yesterday, it was announced that Sadio Mane and Coutinho have both been shortlisted in the final 30 for the Ballon d’Or, awarded every year to the world’s best footballer.
Liverpool did not win any silverware in 2017, but did qualify for the Champions League through a fourth placed finish in the Premier League last term.
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In different stages, Coutinho and Mane have both enjoyed individually superb runs of form: Coutinho at the end of last season (and beginning of this) and Mane before his injury in April.
However, many football fans, especially Arsenal ones, think Alexis Sanchez has been very hard done by – especially considering the statistics he’s racked up in comparison with the Liverpool duo – not to mention he won the FA Cup to boot.
Here’s some of the online reaction.
Do they have a point…?
Thoughts on Ballon d’Or:
Sanchez had 30 goals, 15 assists for Arsenal last season.
Mane & Coutinho had 27 goals, 15 assists – combined.— Mattias Karén (@MattiasKaren) October 10, 2017
Hahaha how can Alexis not be on that list? Coutinho, Kevin De Bryune, Mane, even Dzeko. Smfh
— SLY (@proudlyblac) October 10, 2017
How did Alexis not get shortlisted for Balon d’Or but Dzeko, Coutinho and Mane did 😂😂😂
— Subhaan Ejaz (@TheyCallMeSubs) October 10, 2017
Coutinho and mane nominated and Eriksen wasn’t….
— Andrew Campbell (@Andrewc88) October 10, 2017
Can anyone tell me what has Mane, Mertens and Coutinho done more than Mohamed Salah this year? Can’t get my head around this yet… https://t.co/E4Vw1sIprF
— Karim Fayed (@karimfayed8) October 10, 2017
#Mane and #Coutinho took #diegocosta and #sanchez nominations for the #BallonDor, let’s be real , #diegocosta won chelsea the league
— Tevan_Patrick (@TevanPatrick) October 10, 2017
Can someone please tell me how does #Mane and #Coutinho get nominated for the #BallonDor but not #sanchez 😤I’m losing respect for this award
— Tevan_Patrick (@TevanPatrick) October 10, 2017