MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 21:54:51| >> :60:1908:1908:

Sadio Mane admits Liverpool title hopes are over

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane urges the Reds to focus on winning the Champions League now that their hopes of a successful Premier League title defence are "over".

Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane has admitted that the Premier League champions will not be successfully defending their crown this season.

The Reds were unplayable in the 2019-20 campaign, but amid a plethora of injuries, Jurgen Klopp's men have struggled to keep pace with Manchester City in the current season.

Sixth-placed Liverpool find themselves 19 points adrift of Pep Guardiola's men after losing four on the trot in the top flight, and Mane has urged his teammates to focus on the Champions League now that the Premier League dream is "over".

Speaking to ESPN Brazil, the Senegalese winger said: "Our target from the beginning was [winning] the Champions League, the Premier League and also cup games. And now, I can say it's over for the Premier League... it's too much.

"In our head, our self-belief, it's always 'never give up', and we won't give up, but for sure, Manchester [City] are a good team and they're flying.

"The Champions League, that is our main, main, main target. To win it, not be second, but it won't be easy. You're going to face the best teams in Europe, but we're here to beat the best in the world. We'll do everything possible to go forward and win the Champions League."

Mane has chipped in with seven goals and four assists so far in the top flight this term ahead of Liverpool's trip to rock-bottom Sheffield United on Sunday evening.

ID:436818: cacheID:436818:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2516:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on December 16, 2020
Read Next:
Mane: 'Firmino deserves more credit than me or Salah'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!