Sadio Mane “already one of the best”

Sadio Mane has established himself as one of the world’s best players at Liverpool, according to Senegal coach Aliou Cisse.

Mane built on an excellent debut season at Anfield with another mightily-impressive campaign in 2017/18, even as team-mate Mohamed Salah stole the headlines.

The forward contributed 20 goals and nine assists in all competitions and was instrumental in his side’s magnificent run to the Champions League final.

Asked how highly he rates his key man ahead of Senegal’s World Cup opener against Poland on Tuesday, Cisse was full of praise for his unique and unpredictable style of play.

“I don’t want to say he could become one of the best players in the world,” he said. “He is already one of the best – you have to stress this.

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – Sunday, February 11, 2018: Liverpool’s Sadio Mane during the FA Premier League match between Southampton FC and Liverpool FC at St. Mary’s Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

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“He plays for an iconic club in Liverpool, which is one of the best clubs in Europe. He has shown he is top-notch with his club, and he has something unique.

“He’s unpredictable, at any point he can make the difference with a dribble and pass, so for me he is already one of the best players.

“Sadio is a unique player and he can’t be compared to any other Senegal players, even if we’ve had some major ones in the past.”

Backing Sadio Mane's Senegal to progress from Group H? pic.twitter.com/DnAXZVwBRI

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 14, 2018

Cisse also shed some light on Mane’s behaviour behind the scenes, emphasising his humility.

“He’s unique and despite everything that has occurred to him in the last two or three years, he hasn’t changed,” he explained.

“He’s just as humble as the first time I met him, six years ago at the Olympics.

“His mentality hasn’t changed, his behaviour to staff and his humility to federal leaders and team-mates is the same, so he’s a player who can bring a lot to the team.”

Mane is looking to make an impact on the global stage this summer but will have to be on top form to fire Senegal into the knockout stages, with Poland and Colombia also eyeing progression from Group H.

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Source: anfieldhq.com