On fire since signing from Southampton in the summer, Sadio Mane has revealed that there was interest from tonight’s rivals Manchester United but maintains that his new side will be able to beat them tonight in a real six pointer at the top of the league as he told the Telegraph:
“It was only when Liverpool came in that I never had a second thought and knew I wanted to join. It was different because then was the right moment for me. I finally came to Liverpool and I was happy with that, and now I’m happy I am playing against Manchester United. We are going to beat Manchester United. Of course. We all believe it. We are going to make it.”
With three goals and three assists for Liverpool already this season with seven games played, Mane has become a real focal point in the Liverpool attack under Jurgen Klopp with his pace and skill a vital part of Jurgen Klopp’s sharp attack which has taken the Premier League by storm in the opening weeks of the campaign.
Klopp could be looking to add to his defence to ensure strength at the opposite end of the field though, as the Daily Star claim that scouts were sent to watch Swiss defender Fabian Schar. The central defender has also been subject to interest from Arsenal and Inter Milan but has struggled for starts at Hoffenheim this season, having signed for them last season from Basel.
Liverpool are hoping that the German club will be open to negotiations for the 24-year-olds who also stood out for Switzerland at Euro 2016 this summer as they seek to add depth to their backline alongside Ragnar Klavan, Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and the currently excluded Mamadou Sakho.
Former club hero and now Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso has also revealed that he still keeps an eye on his former club, and in particular the performances of captain Jordan Henderson, who has played a similar role to the Spaniard of late. The former Real Madrid midfielder said:
“It’s not just the performances on the pitch, from the outside it looks like he has taken the leading role in the changing room. After Stevie (Gerrard), he got the captain’s armband and he wanted to try to continue what they did, and he’s managing it so far. With Klopp and Lucas (Leiva) as well, he’s doing well. Jordan has so much energy, he plays well and he’s very complete. Not just as a holding midfielder, he’s able to get closer to the box. He’s becoming a very important player.”
Such praise should give Henderson a massive confidence boost from one of the best in the game who has made the position his own over recent years ahead of one of the biggest fixtures of the season at Anfield this evening.
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