Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge believes the excitement surrounding forward Sadio Mane’s is very similar to when Liverpool legend John Barnes joined the club from Watford.
Aldo says that both players direct running style is not the only similarity. When Barnes made his debut, his stand out performance in his first three matches all came away from home against Arsenal, Coventry and West Ham as repair work was taking place on the Kop at the time.
Similarly, Mane put in excellent performances against Arsenal, Burton and Tottenham, although he did miss the Burnley match through injury. Aldridge says that just like in 1987 with Barnes, 54,000 fans at Anfield on Saturday will be highly anticipating Mane’s first match at home after making his £30million from Southampton in the summer. He wrote in his column for the Liverpool Echo:
“I hate comparing players, but the situation around Mane is very similar to when John Barnes arrived at Anfield in 1987. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying Sadio Mane is the new John Barnes, but he is generating a similar kind of buzz. Liverpool fans can’t wait to get their first glimpse of him at Anfield, just like in 1987 when John Barnes was signed.”
Liverpool will face Premier League champions Leicester City on Saturday evening as the Reds hope to make a good impression in front of the newly opened Main Stand.
