Liverpool’s top three have always kept each other warm, pushing each other to be even better, but Sadio Mane must feel like the odd one in the close-knit trio when it comes to the final .
Roberto Firmino has scored his Club World Cup goal, while Mohamed Salah has reached his final moment with his two-minute penalty in the 2019 Champions League final.
Meanwhile, what Mane has come to closer to a highlight was his leveling in Kyiv in 2018, which after ending in defeat probably leaves a bitter taste.
Two-thirds of Jurgen Klopp’s original offensive trio have their glory moments, so could Paris finally be Mane’s chance to snatch him?
Mane has been instrumental in helping Liverpool navigate the Champions League final and the success of the FA and Carabao Cup, as well as putting together a significant load to reduce Manchester City’s lead in the Premier League. from 14 to a point.
The Senegalese may be out of the rhythm set by his teammate and winner of the Salah Golden Boot in the league this season, but he has made up for it in the Red Cup competitions.
Sadio Mane is still waiting for the final victory goal against Liverpool before this week’s final
Roberto Firmino (left) and Mohamed Salah (right) both scored in the reds’ final victories.
Mane was crucial in the search for Liverpool’s FA Cup as he twice scored at home in his semi-final 3-2 to eliminate City from the competition and set up his second clash of the season at Wembley with Chelsea.
After Ibrahima Konate’s first goal, the Reds went 3-0 up at the break after Mane scored in the 17th minute before adding Liverpool’s third just before the break.
He was about to get his moment of victory in the final when the clash went back to the penalty shootout.
Mane was given a chance to change things around. César Azpilicueta was given a chance to change things around.
Mane had a chance to make his mark in the FA Cup final but missed his penalty
In addition to his two goals in the FA Cup for the Reds, Mané has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season, five in 12 Champions League games.
It is true that the form of the striker was nothing to highlight in the first half of the season, but he turned the knob after the Africa Cup of Nations.
The £ 50million arrival in January Luis Diaz was vital to keeping Liverpool afloat during the international absences of Mane and Salah, but it is undeniable that the former has reached the same electrical levels as the Colombian since his return.
Mane beat his Egyptian teammate in the CONFAC final and has certainly shown it since he returned.
The Senegalese beat his Egyptian teammate in this year’s Africa Cup final
Prior to international success, he had scored 10 goals in 26 games with a shot conversion rate of 14.3%. This return equals one goal every 205 minutes.
But with the AFCON award on his coat of arms, he has scored 13 goals in 24 appearances.
Mane was also crucial in sealing Liverpool’s passage to their third Champions League final in five years.
He scored in both games of the reds ‘semifinal against Villarreal, the most critical of the return match to stop the Yellow Submariners’ comeback.
Since his international success with Senegal, the 30-year-old has returned to play at Anfield
Two goals in the first half from Unai Emery’s side in the return leg quickly turned what should have been a regular result for Liverpool into a tense nail biter.
But goals from Fabinho and Luis Diaz restored the Reds’ comfortable two-goal cushion before Mané sealed the victory in the 74th minute.
His excellent form throughout the second half of the season and his heroic recent cup indicate that Mané is in a privileged position to close out the Champions League campaign of the reds in style.
The Paris show is a repeat of the 2018 final when Liverpool suffered a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in Kyiv.
While Salah has openly admitted that he sees Saturday’s battle as an opportunity for revenge, Mane has taken a calmer approach.
Mané scored in both Champions League semi-finals of Liverpool against Villarreal
He added: “For me, it’s not revenge, it’s certainly not revenge. In four years, a lot of things have changed: our way of dealing with games, the experience, we have more quality in the team, so it’s an exciting game.
“We all forgot what happened in 2018. Sure, Real Madrid was the best team and they totally deserved to win the final, and congratulations, but it will be a different game.
‘There’s no pressure, nothing at all. Just to enjoy. It’s a dream moment for us, so let’s enjoy it without being pressured because it doesn’t help … everyone has full confidence, which is amazing. ”
He can say that he is not looking for revenge, but he will certainly want to repeat his threat in front of the goal scoring again against Madrid, but this time he will hope that it will be the winning goal.
Mané insisted he does not want revenge on Saturday when the reds face Real Madrid again
However, after their impressive run to the end of the season, the Anfield fans will pray that it will not be their farewell gift to them.
Salah’s saga of contracts has dominated the headlines throughout the season but in recent weeks Mané’s has come to the fore.
As Salah’s touch in front of the goal left him, Mané became more important than ever.
Like Salah, his contract expires at the end of next season and he revealed that he will make a decision about his future after the final.
Mane has revealed he will announce his future in Liverpool after the final in Paris on Saturday
He said: “It will be special to win it, and make seven (European titles for the club). And this question (my future) will be answered after the Champions League. Stay or not, I will answer you after the Champions’.
Earlier this month, Mane appeared as a transfer target for Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, leaving Liverpool fans upset.
Reds legend Jamie Carragher led the reaction to the rumors, stating that he would not let Mane leave Anfield.
“When I saw Liverpool as a fan, Sadio Mane is my favorite player,” he told Sky Sports. “There’s something about Mane. Sometimes he’s sacrificed and the change he makes.
Mane jumps into the air during training on Friday at the Stade de France in Paris
“He and Salah have been doing this for five years: they are never injured! They are there week after week for 90 minutes, raising the numbers every week. What they have done for this football club is amazing.
“I’m a big fan of Sadio Mane and I can assure you he won’t go anywhere because I won’t let him go to Bayern Munich, he should deal with me!”
Either way, stay or leave, a final goal would be a proper tribute: for an emotional goodbye or a commitment to the club.