Sadio Mane didn’t have a brilliant season for Liverpool last time around, it has to be said.
Since joining the Reds for £30 million in 2016, the Senegalese bullet has undeniably been one of Jurgen Klopp’s most important players.
But 16 goals across all competitions for Liverpool last season wasn’t a brilliant return and even the player himself has recently admitted as much.
That being said, club legend Jamie Carragher is expecting the former Southampton attacker to be a lot more like his old self during the 2021-22 campaign.
He said via The Independent: “I am just wary a little bit with Liverpool, after last season going into this season, as to whether there are enough goals in the team for them to go and win the title.
“But I am expecting a big season from (Sadio) Mane. He didn’t have his best season but he’s looking really sharp in pre-season, hopefully he can be the guy who can plug that gap in terms of goals.”
Hedge bets
If we’re honest, Liverpool need competition for Mane this summer.
Klopp is only ever one injury to Mohamed Salah away from being in major trouble and it’s just a silly gamble to take.
Liverpool gambled on not replacing Dejan Lovren last season and look what happened, their season fell apart and they were signing Championship defenders in January.
A 17-point gap from Premier League champions Manchester City last term resulted in the Anfield club enduring an awful title defence.
There’s pride at stake this time around with Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez fit again, Liverpool need to make sure their attacker is as solid as their defence which, at the moment, it really isn’t.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
