BBC Sport pundit hails Liverpool FC attacker Sadio Mane
Garth Crooks sings Sadio Mane's praises after Liverpool FC's 2-1 win over Southampton on Saturday
Garth Crooks singled out Sadio Mane for special praise after Liverpool FC’s 2-1 win over Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Reds secured a narrow win at St Mary’s to make it 11 victories in a row in the Premier League and continue their solid start to the season.
Mane netted on the stroke of half-time with a brilliant finish, and Roberto Firmino made the points secure in the 71st minute, with Danny Ings netting what turned out to be a consolation goal late on.
Senegal international Mane has been thrown straight back into first-team affairs at Liverpool FC despite not enjoying much of a summer break due to his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations.
However, Crooks felt that Mane looks sharper than ever despite his limited recovery time over the summer.
Writing in his column for BBC Sport, Crooks said: “It might have been the first time Sadio Mane has scored against his old club but even he had to celebrate it, such was its brilliance.
“The Senegal international was on top of his game again after a hectic summer of football in the Africa Cup of Nations.
“While there has been talk of Mane not getting sufficient time off to recuperate from the tournament, he looked sharper and fitter than anyone else on the field against Southampton.”
Crooks added: “Jurgen Klopp needs to be very careful not to overplay Mane. If he does and loses the player through injury, he could live to regret it.”
Liverpool FC will now switch their attentions towards their crunch Premier League clash with Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday evening.
The Reds are aiming to go one step further than they did last season and win the Premier League title this term under Jurgen Klopp.
Klopp’s men finished just a point behind defending champions Manchester City last season.
