Sadio Mane celebrates scoring for Liverpool
Sadio Mane celebrates scoring for Liverpool

Sadio Mane: Liverpool forward among Premier League's top strikers says Anfield team-mate Georginio Wijnaldum


Liverpool's in-form forward Sadio Mane deserves to be mentioned with the very best strikers in the Premier League, according to team-mate Georginio Wijnaldum.

The Senegal international took his tally to 19 for the season with a brace in the Champions League win over Bayern Munich that put the Reds into the quarter-finals.

Mane is just one goal behind fellow forward Mohamed Salah and with 16 Premier League goals this season he' s just two behind current top scorer Sergio Aguero.

Mane has 10 goals in as many games in all competitions - including three doubles - and is enjoying his best goalscoring return in his five seasons in English football.

And that is why he has to be mentioned alongside the City striker and his in-form team-mate Raheem Sterling, Tottenham's Harry Kane, and Salah.

"He is really good. The games tell you that, he is really important with his goals and assists. A good season, his best with us," said Wijnaldum.

"They (media) do not speak about him? I think the other players have shown they get the headlines but Sadio also. He has had a big influence on winning games.

"Mo did not score (against Bayern) but had a good game. People speak about the player who had two goals. A lot of players do the work and make the difference.

"You have to speak about everyone. For me, Sadio is up there with those players you named."

No Wijnaldum worry over new deal

Wijnaldum is the most senior, established player yet to be rewarded with a new contract after the likes of Salah, Mane, Roberto Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez and Jordan Henderson all got new deals in the last 12 months.

However, with the club still fighting on two fronts it is an issue the Dutchman, who still has more than two years remaining, is not concerned about.

Especially as a new contract will, in all probability, be sorted over the summer ahead of next season.

"No. I did not speak with the club yet," he said. "(Is it) a problem between me and the club? I am not a person who has problems. That is something for the club. I will see what happens.

"I signed a five-year contract (in the summer of 2017) and I am still under contract. I just do my job to perform. A new contract has to come from the club."

Follow Sporting Life on social media - find us on Facebook here or tweet@SportingLifeFC

Related football links