Tuesday night proved to be a refreshing reminder of what a revelation Sadio Mane has been at Liverpool as he picked up two awards at the club’s annual ceremony.
The Senegalese forward was named Player of the Season thanks to the votes of supporters in a poll on the official Liverpool website and also picked up the Players’ Player of the Season award, as voted for by his teammates.
Mane needed under half a season to diminish any doubts over whether he was worth the hefty fee Liverpool paid to bring him from Southampton. The forward’s sheer pace, power and athleticism has seen him add an explosive and crucially different dimension, having an impact few could have initially anticipated.
His importance has been somewhat underlined by fans growing eager to see Jurgen Klopp target a player of similar traits during the summer transfer market. 13 goals in 29 Premier League appearances poses as an impressive tally, especially when considering his mid-season departure for the African Cup of Nations and the fact he has been out injured since April.
Oh Mane, Mane! ?pic.twitter.com/rsIKydMi2h
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 9, 2017
Trent Alexander-Arnold was also named Young Player of the Season having not only starred for Liverpool’s U23s but broken into the first team on more than one occasion as a result. The full-back has looked a class above his opponents in Liverpool’s youth side during this campaign with his latest standout performance coming in Monday’s 2-1 mini-derby win over Everton, in which he scored what proved to be the decisive second goal.
Early excitement surrounding the youngster’s potential has been justified by the confidence, technical ability and maturity he has showcased in outings for the senior side, including in the game he started against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Though Klopp will refrain from fuelling any further supposed ‘hype’ surrounding the teenager, it is becoming increasingly difficult not to ponder just how much money Alexander-Arnold could save the club in years to come.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, proud to be our Young Player of the Season. ?#LFCPlayersAwardspic.twitter.com/uTIOempwdA
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 9, 2017
Fellow youth teammate Ben Woodburn was recognised as the Academy Players’ Player of the Season and Emre Can was also amongst the winners, leaving with the highly-contested Goal of the Season award for his stunning overhead kick against Watford.
Sophie Ingle picked up the prize of Liverpool Ladies’ Player of the Season while the club paid tribute to Lucas Leiva’s decade at Anfield with a Special Recognition Award as well as honouring Roger Hunt with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Other presentations saw Liverpool’s European Cup-winning side of 1977 win the Outstanding Team Achievement Award and the club’s Disability support team win the Staff Recognition Award.
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