Danny Murphy has claimed that Sadio Mane has faced ‘criticism’ when playing down the middle for Liverpool, as he told Match of the Day.
But the former midfielder thinks he is answering those critics because Mane playing down the middle has ‘paid dividends’.
On Saturday, the Liverpool 30-year-old netted a brace which helped his side beat Manchester City and book their FA Cup final ticket.
With Luis Diaz starting life on Merseyside like he has been at the club for years, it has forced Jurgen Klopp to change up his front three, including playing Mane up top of late.
Murphy thinks the recent Africa Cup of Nations winner has put ‘fear’ into the eyes of the opposition, as a result of playing central rather than out on the left.
“Mane has faced a little bit of criticism recently playing down the middle,” said Murphy. “Talk about him not being as effective.
“What he does do, wherever he plays, is you get the same tenacity and work ethic.
“But, down the centre of the pitch, I think he has the ability to stretch and put fear into defenders. That’s why he is in there. But it has paid dividends.”
It’s going to be interesting to see what changes Klopp makes for the visit of Manchester United on Tuesday night.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Mane is moved back out on the left and Diogo Jota is brought back into the fold.
The Portugal international, who is Liverpool’s second-highest goalscorer this season, only came on for the last five minutes of their FA Cup win over the weekend.
Either way, whatever Klopp does, it goes to show the players he can pick from and, at this moment in time, he is getting it right.
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