Jamie Redknapp thinks Pep Guardiola fears Liverpool star Sadio Mane

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Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are fighting for the Premier League title this season.

Jamie Redknapp has suggested in The Daily Mail that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola fears the threat that Liverpool winger Sadio Mane poses.

The former Liverpool midfielder, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports, made the suggestion in response to Guardiola’s critical comments about Mane.

Sky Sports have quoted the former Barcelona manager as saying that sometimes the 27-year-old Senegal international winger dives.

City will take on Liverpool away from home at Anfield in the Premier League next weekend.

The Citizens are six points behind leaders Liverpool in second place in the league table at the moment and have to win next weekend.

Redknapp wrote in The Daily Mail: “Hearing Pep Guardiola mention Sadio Mane and diving was surprising.

“It is unusual to hear a manager say that about a rival player, but I don’t think it was Guardiola trying to wind up Mane ahead of this Sunday’s showdown at Anfield. It wasn’t an attempt at mind games, or a deliberate dig.

“I believe Guardiola genuinely fears the threat of Mane. The Manchester City manager has him on his mind.

“He knows the 27-year-old is now Liverpool’s most important player. He is Jurgen Klopp’s No 1 man, as proven on Saturday.”

Stats

Mane has made 10 starts and one substitute appearance in the Premier League for Liverpool so far this season, scoring six goals and providing two assists in the process, according to WhoScored.

During the 2018-19 campaign, the 27-year-old winger made 35 starts and one substitute appearance in the league for the Reds, scoring 22 goals and providing one assist in the process, according to WhoScored.