Jamie Carragher has claimed that ‘pressure’ needs to be put on Sadio Mane’s position at Liverpool, as he told Sky Sports (02/01/22 at 4:10 pm).
The Anfield legend stated that when Mane goes through a bad run, ‘no matter how poorly he plays’, there isn’t anyone challenging him for his spot.
Mane opened the scoring for Liverpool on Sunday when his side recorded a 2-2 draw against Chelsea.
It was the Senegal star’s first goal in nine matches, and just like last season, he ended another barren run in front of goal.
Carragher touched upon when Mane’s form goes in the wrong direction and how Liverpool need to bring in the ‘next Mane’ in the summer.
“He has been an absolute revelation since he came to the club,” said Carragher.
“I was really worried about watching him last season. Then, at the start of this season, he was back to his best.
“The problem for Liverpool I feel with someone like Sadio Mane, no matter how poorly he plays, they still put him in the team because they don’t have the back-up that other teams have.
“I think that’s maybe the next step for Liverpool. Maybe in the summer, to bring in the next Mane. To really put pressure on his position for next season and if he goes through a (bad) run, then you have someone who can step in.”
As soon as Mane finds the back of the net, the £34 million signing (BBC Sport) is out of the picture for Liverpool because he is heading to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mane scored past Edouard Mendy at Stamford Bridge and now the duo will stand side by side for their country during these next few weeks.
Senegal are one of the favourites to win the competition, but Mo Salah and his Egypt side will have something to say about that.
Either way, this is a great chance for either Liverpool duo to elevate their status even further.
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