Leon Osman has argued that Sadio Mane is the driving force behind Liverpool’s bid to usurp Manchester City as Premier League champions.
The Senegalese international hit his 17th goal in this league campaign against Fulham on Sunday, and his 11th in his last 11 matches.
Speaking on Match of the Day 2, former Evertonian Osman suggested that the forward has become the Reds’ key man.
He said: “Sadio Mane has been terrific. Everyone thought that Salah would be the guy to take the season forward for Liverpool but again he [Mane] has got a goal, and assist for the penalty in another big game.
“He performed through the week, he’s got 17 goals now alongside Salah.
“Sadio Mane really has stepped up, and he is the driving force behind this title run for Liverpool at the moment.”
OPINION
This is high praise for Mane, and you would have to say that Osman is pretty much spot on in his assessment. The Senegalese international has been absolutely irresistible in recent weeks, but what has impressed most is the manner in which he has stepped into the breach as those around him have faltered. Liverpool are still playing sublime football, make no mistake, but Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino just looked a notch or two below their very best. In a title race of such fine margins, that could be a real issue for the Reds, but the way that Mane has taken on the extra weight of expectation and goalscoring duties has been nothing short of remarkable. This kind of hot streak could be the difference between a couple of draws and couple of vital wins, and with the gap between Jurgen Klopp’s men and Manchester City narrower than ever, they need all the points they can get. Simply put, Mane could be the difference between a title and a heartbreak.
