Liverpool have had a mixed start to their new season in the English top division as they have secured merely 8 points from their first 5 games, with their latest outing ending in a 1-1 draw against Burnley at home.
Despite their summer acquisitions in the shapes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson, it goes without saying that Jurgen Klopp’s men have really been able to hit the ground up and running so far this season. They need to mould together as a unit before it gets too late.
One of the major talking points which was derived from the summer transfer window was that Liverpool were successful in refraining themselves from getting into a catastrophe as they managed to keep Philippe Coutinho in their books despite Barcelona’s £138million bid to lure him away from Anfield.
The fact that Klopp managed to keep his was a splendid happening, for the magical Brazilian is arguably the best player in their ranks.
However, one of the latest reports by Mirror has stated that the Spanish giants are looking to make a raid once again, this time to make Sadio Mane sign on the dotted line and take him to Camp Nou.
Mane made a spectacular start to his season, scoring in his first three games before receiving a red card against Manchester City which resulted in a three-game ban for him. Nonetheless, Ernesto Valverde has put him on his radar, although Real Madrid and Juventus are also keen to sign him.
Mane emerged through the youth ranks of Generation Foot, and was eventually signed by Metz. His subsequent moves to Red Bull Salzburg and Southampton proved to be productive and as a result, the eighteen-time English top flight champions made him sign on the dotted line last summer.
The 25-year-old smashed 13 goals in 27 games for the Reds, apart from creating 43 chances and no wonder why his stocks are so highly rated. He has proved his mettle in the Premier League, has earned adequate experience under his belt and no wonder why Barcelona are set to target him.
Capable of plying his trade on either wing, Mane’s strongest suit is his excellent dribbles skills. He loves to cut inside and test the opposition’s goalkeeper and always attempts to create chances for his teammates as well. Besides, the raw pace he possesses in his boots does make him a nightmarish package.
Statistics Credits: Squawka
