Sadio Mane plays down talk of move to Real Madrid

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has insisted that he is "very happy" at Anfield and has never considered leaving for Real Madrid.

The Senegal international was touted as a possible target for the Spanish giants last summer, as were teammates Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino at various points over the last year.

All three players committed their futures to Liverpool by signing new long-term deals in 2018, however, with Mane now tied down until the end of the 2022-23 season.

Speaking about the rumoured interest from Madrid, the ex-Southampton ace told World Soccer Magazine: "Speculation is part of football. You just learn to live with it and not to take it too seriously.

"All I can say is that my only concern is Liverpool. Mo, Bobby... it seemed like everyone was signing contracts and they were saying: 'Hey Sadio, when are you going to sign?' I said to each of them: 'Don't worry, bro, I will sign'.

"And what did I do? I signed... so they are pleased now! I'm very happy here and I think people are happy with me too. We want to write our names alongside the many great ones in the story of this club. Hopefully it's the beginning of something special."

Mane has nine goals and one assist for Liverpool in the Premier League this season, helping his side to the top of the division with 15 games to go.