Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp: 'Sadio Mane can be world class'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 24 August 2018

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes that Sadio Mane is beginning to realise his full potential following his goalscoring start to the season.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has backed Sadio Mane to go from strength to strength following his goalscoring start to the new Premier League season.

Mane sits joint-top of the scoring charts with three goals from his opening two games of the campaign, netting twice in the 4-0 rout of West Ham United and then sealing all three points against Crystal Palace with a late second.

The Senegal international's performances have so far outshone strike partners Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, and Klopp believes that Mane is now convinced of his own ability.

"Now he's much more secure that this is his level. The players surprise themselves sometimes. 'Wow, really? That's how good I am?' We all need to show our best and get used to it," Klopp told reporters.

"It's quality. We have to make sure we can show that every week. Who scores the goals is not too important, but it was very important for us and very nice for him that he could do it in the last game. Sadio is a very consistent player for us. His work-rate is great.

"We have a very strange 4-5-1 formation with Sadio as a midfielder, Bobby (Roberto Firmino) being a midfielder more or less and Mo [Salah] being a striker, even though he plays in a little different position. We talk about the defensive work-rate they put in, that's really important."

Liverpool will look to continue their 100% start to the season on Saturday when they host Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield.