Sadio Mane deserves a new contract

For much of last season, Liverpool’s frontline of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho were dubbed ‘the Fab Four’. Then in the January transfer window, Coutinho joined Barcelona for big money.

Coutinho’s ability and Salah’s consistency tended to take attention away from Mane and Roberto Firmino, who were the ones who assisted the Egyptian’s stellar first campaign at Anfield.

Sadio Mane is underrated too

If anybody reads my editorials on a regular basis, you will know my grudging admiration for Firmino. Every bit of admiration towards the red side of the city is hard for me. However, I believe Firmino is one of the most underrated players in the Premier League.

While the Brazilian is massively underrated, I would argue that Mane is too. I have like Mane since his Southampton days. Every time he got the ball there was excitement and he had raw potential. His pace, trickery and direct running style frighten the life out of defenders. Mane is a vital part of how Jurgen Klopp wants his team to play, as his pace is perfect to hit teams on the counter-attack.

Mane’s part in Liverpool’s run to last season’s Champions League final is often underplayed.  He was a key player in dragging the Reds to the final, but his performances were overshadowed by Salah’s fine campaign.

Numbers are impressive for Liverpool

I read earlier that Sadio Mane has scored 40 goals in 89 appearances since joining the Reds back in 2016 from Southampton for 2016. Those numbers are exceptional for most players at the top of the game.

Those numbers would be respectable for a central striker in the top European leagues, but for a winger to score that amount of goals shows just how good a player Mane really is.

It should be a surprise that Mane is so prolific for a winger, though, as even in his two years at Southampton the Senegalese star managed to score 21 goals in 67 Premier League appearances. The Saints team at the time were nowhere near the same quality as Liverpool’s current group.

There is another stat to that shows Mane’s worth, as since joining the Reds, only Mohamed Salah has scored more Premier League goals for the Merseysiders. It shows that Mane may be behind Salah slightly in productivity, he is still a very good support act, if as many believe Salah is the star.

Set to sign a new deal at Liverpool

According to Sky Sports, Sadio Mane has agreed on terms on a new five-year deal with Liverpool. The winger deserves the reward of a new deal at Anfield and no doubt a pay rise.

Mane is the sort of player who goes about his busy in a quiet and effective manner on the pitch. Knowing a bit about the Senegalese star off the field, he comes across as a very humble and nice guy.

Mane will take to the field for Liverpool’s game at Watford, a game the Reds are odds of 11/20 to win, looking for his seventh Premier League goal of what has been a productive campaign so far.

Liverpool fans will be hoping that the winger can help guide the Reds to silverware this season. While I am hoping Jurgen Klopp’s team fall flat on their face again in their pursuit over that elusive trophy.

Will Sadio Mane help Liverpool to win a trophy this season?