Everton take on Liverpool tonight, meaning Senegal stars Idrissa Gueye and Sadio Mane will lock horns.
Everton ace Idrissa Gueye has told The Mirror that he wants to beat international team-mate Sadio Mane in this evening’s Merseyside derby with Liverpool.
The Toffees host their city neighbours Liverpool in the 227th Merseyside derby this evening, with the Reds making the short trip across Stanley Park to take on their closest rivals.
Tonight’s clash at Goodison Park will bring up some interesting battles, as Ross Barkley could face Jordan Henderson, Romelu Lukaku will go up against a shaky Liverpool defence, and Everton – without Phil Jagielka – must cope with the in-form Divock Origi.
Everton’s Idrissa Gueye in action with Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka
However, one of the most intriguing match-ups will see Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye take on Liverpool winger Sadio Mane, just weeks before they will head off to the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
Gueye and Mane are international team-mates who will be locking horns at Goodison Park this evening, and the Everton ace – who has impressed since his summer move from Aston Villa – is relishing the encounter.
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane celebrates scoring
Ahead of tonight’s clash, Gueye has told The Mirror that he would love to beat Mane as he can have bragging rights over him throughout the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in January.
Gueye added that he and Mane are friends but aren’t actually that close, and he’s even waiting to meet up with the Liverpool star, as they’ve yet to see each other since they made their summer moves to Merseyside.
Gueye also warned Everton that Mane is one of Liverpool’s main threats due to his pace, and will talk to his team-mates about what to expect from his international team-mates.
“That’d be great because I could be on his back all the way through the African Nations,” said Gueye. “He’s a real one for taking the mickey, Sadio, a real character. We have this one where he calls me ‘dwarf’ – and he’s only a little bit taller! If the result goes the wrong way, he’s going to be even worse. He’s a friend, a mate, but we’re not that close. We wouldn’t go round to each other’s houses. He has phoned me though and said we should meet up. I’m still waiting!”
“He’s one of the main threats, absolutely. The ease at which he gets forward, his movement, he creates danger, space and chances for other people. Knowing him does help, but at the same time, I know with Sadio it’s hard to read what he will do next, he might dribble there, go on this side of you or whatever. Of course I will talk to my teammates, but he’s so unpredictable and fast with his acceleration. He just touches the pedal and goes from first gear to fifth,” he added.
Do you think Gueye will get the better of Mane?
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