Sadio Mane denies making comments asserting that Liverpool would definitely win the Premier League title, according to the Liverpool Echo.
In a story ran by The Sun, it was claimed that the Senegalese international had been adamant that the Reds were going to end their 29 year wait for a title win.
According to the article, he said: “This is not a team of chokers. We will be champions. I am sure we will be champions of England.”
The quotes were then picked up by a number of other news outlets.
The 26-year-old has since insisted the comments are fake, according to the Liverpool Echo, and is said to be “fuming” over the incident.
OPINION
It would make a lot more sense of the quotes were fake than if they were real. Jurgen Klopp has insisted that his side maintain an outlook and rhetoric of ‘one game at a time’ and given the togetherness of his squad, it would be bizarre for Mane to break ranks so blatantly. Even if the Reds do believe that they are going to walk to the title, the worst thing they could do would be to voice it so openly, as it would be unnecessary pressure on the squad ahead of what will surely be a tough enough second half of the season as it is. It would be incongruous with Mane’s character as well to suddenly come out with such arrogant and definitive statements. The attacker is a measured and humble character, and the prospect of him making such bold assertions just doesn’t sit right with the rest of his persona.
