'He can play everywhere': Alisson says Liverpool have an 'amazing player' who has 'so much quality'

By Shamanth Jayaram

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has lavished praise on his teammate Sadio Mane and his versatility.

The Senegal international has had an outstanding 2022 so far. He won the AFCON for his country, helped them qualify for the World Cup in Qatar later this year and he has been incredible for Liverpool as well.

Mane started up top for Liverpool against Manchester City in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup on Saturday. The ex-Southampton man stepped up for the Reds, scoring two of their three goals to help them get through to the final.

Alisson watched Mane do his thing from the other end of the pitch and he was left in awe.

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Alisson: Sadio Mane can play everywhere for Liverpool

The Athletic quizzed Alisson about the impact Luis Diaz’s arrival has had on Mane as both players’ best position is left-wing. The Brazilian admitted that the competition is good, but he believes that the Senegal star is capable of playing everywhere.

Alisson said: “Sadio is an amazing player. He can play everywhere.

“Diaz is now playing more on the outside of the pitch where Sadio played for most of his career. But Sadio has shown he can play as a No 9 too.

“In that role, he’s freer to move everywhere. He has so much quality and he’s contributing a lot for us, scoring goals and creating situations. There’s a healthy competition here that helps to bring up the level.”

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Should Klopp extend Mane’s contract?

Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah will all enter the final year of their contracts this summer and if recent form is anything to go by, the Senegal star is most deserving of a new deal.

However, it looks like Liverpool’s priority at the moment is to tie down Salah and that is arguably the right thing to do. The Egyptian has been absolutely unbelievable for them over the years and despite his recent blip in form, he’s still a world-class player.

It will be interesting to see how this pans out. Mane definitely deserves a new deal, even though Liverpool have Diogo Jota and Diaz to succeed him whenever he leaves.

However, it really won’t be a surprise if the Reds allow him to enter his final year and then let him walk away for free at the end of next season, which would be a shame.

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