Matip admitted that Mane can be a bit of a nightmare to face on the training ground.
Liverpool’s Joel Matip and Jordan Henderson applaud fans after the game
Liverpool defender Joel Matip has admitted that Sadio Mane is something of a nightmare for anyone coming up against him, and says the Senegal international will do a lot of good things for the Reds this season.
Mane has already become a hit at Anfield after signing from Southampton this summer, and displayed one of the best debut performances for the Reds in many years when he found the net in the opening day win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane in action with Tottenham’s Danny Rose
Matip told LFC TV: “I know he was good but I was very surprised because he’s very strong, one-on-one it’s very hard to defend. In the game often everybody sees but in training he shows what he can do. He’ll do a lot of good things for us.”
Mane has certainly added a dimension that was missing from Liverpool last season in terms of pace. It was something that was sorely lacking from the Reds’ arsenal last term, and he provides and extra goalscoring threat for the side.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates with Sadio Mane after the match
One thing that opponents will not want to do is let Mane isolate any defender in their side, and he may well become a marked man throughout the season, which is something Liverpool will think about by trying to provide more of a threat from other areas of the side too.
It’s pleasing for Liverpool they can already see a marked improvement on their squad in one area by signing one player. They will be hoping that Matip has a similar effect over the course of the season in a different area of the field – as Liverpool try and tighten up at the back, which has been something of a problem in recent years.
Tottenham’s Dele Alli and manager Mauricio Pochettino attempt to retrieve the ball off Liverpool’s Joel Matip
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