Mane has made a positive impression since his switch from Southampton in the summer.
Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge believes that Sadio Mane is creating the same kind of buzz around the club that came with John Barnes back in the 1987/88 season.
Aldridge was part of the side that made Barnes an instant hit with the Reds and drew comparisons with Mane because of the early impact he has made, while fans at Anfield have had to wait to see him action given they have played their first three league games away from home.
He wrote in his Liverpool Echo column: “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying Sadio Mane is the new John Barnes, but he is generating a similar kind of buzz.
“In just three games this season Sadio Mane has already become a key player. Just how important was underlined when he suffered a slight injury scare on international duty with Senegal this week.
“The Reds fan base went into temporary panic until the rumours were dispelled.
“He has already made a major impact amongst Reds fans – and if he can go on to become half as influential as John Barnes was we’ll all be delighted.”
Mane has already become a crucial part of the Liverpool side, offering pace and that extra goal threat that has not been there in previous seasons, and there was some anxiety among Reds fans at the thought of him missing out at the weekend when they face Leicester City at Anfield.
Some had initially questioned paying £30 million for the player, or buying another player from Southampton, but you get very little talk about either his price-tag or the club he came from now.
It is a big call to mention him even in the same breath as Barnes, who won the Footballer of the Year prizes from both the Football Writers Association and Professional Footballers’ Association during his time at the club, while the club enjoyed success.
It would take some doing to match those achievements, but there is little doubt that Mane could be a massive influence on the Reds for the duration of this season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
