Garth Crooks and Jermaine Jenas have hailed Liverpool star Sadio Mane.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates with Sadio Mane after the match
Pundit Jermaine Jenas told BBC’s Match of the Day 2 on Sunday evening that he felt Sadio Mane was ‘sensational’ against Arsenal – and Garth Crooks also told BBC Sport how impressed he was with the Liverpool star.
Liverpool headed to the Emirates Stadium in search of a winning start to the Premier League season, and got just that with a remarkable 4-3 win over Arsenal.
Many players impressed throughout Liverpool’s win, but winger Sadio Mane was arguably the man of the match with a scintillating performance down the right hand side of Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The Senegal international, snapped up from Southampton earlier this summer, terrorised the Arsenal defence time and time again on Sunday afternoon, and scored a superb solo goal, using his pace to beat the Gunners back line before smashing the ball into the roof of the net.
Mane’s influence was key, as whilst Liverpool have talented ball-players in Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, Mane offers blistering pace and direct dribbling ability, and gives the Liverpool attack a different dimension.
Mane looks to be on course for a huge campaign under Klopp, and his performance against Arsenal has earned plaudits from fans and pundits alike, with many excited by his display.
After Sunday’s clash, pundit Jermaine Jenas told BBC’s Match of the Day 2 that he felt Mane was sensational and the best player on the park, deserving his goal in the process.
Meanwhile, Garth Crooks also told BBC Sport that he has been forced to change his mind about Mane after seeing his performance against Arsenal, as he thought Liverpool had overpaid for the forward – but his performance and superb goal have made him re-think his position.
“Mane was sensational throughout the whole game for me,” said Jenas. “When he puts it in the top corner, it’s everything that he deserved. He was the best player on the pitch throughout the game, he’s so hard to deal with and had the most sprints in the game.”
“Mane was outstanding last season at Southampton, but it was clear his ambitions were set elsewhere. When he finally got the move he thought his talents deserved, I was staggered by the £34m fee Liverpool were prepared to pay for him,” added Crooks. “However, his performance against Arsenal – not to mention the best individual goal I’ve seen in years – has forced me to rethink my position.”
What did you think of Mane’s performance against Arsenal?
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