Former Liverpool player and manager Graeme Souness has criticised Reds attackers Sadio Mane and Divock Origi for their performances against Newcastle United on Saturday.
The former never really got into the game in Liverpool’s 3-2 win over the Magpies, while the latter, despite netting the winner, clearly did little to impress Souness either.
“Mane didn’t really take part in the game tonight,” the Scot told Sky Sports. “The player who has been physical and aggressive all season, worried and harried defenders – tonight, he didn’t take part. And that’s just down to fatigue.
“I don’t want to be cruel on Origi, but I’ve yet to see him have a good game. OK, you can say he’s won the side six vital points, but I’ve wanted more from him,” he finished.
OPINION
It’s difficult to argue with what Souness says about Mane, here. The Senegal star, a shining light for Jurgen Klopp’s team for the majority of the season, looked absolutely exhausted on Saturday. He simply couldn’t get anything going at St James’ Park, as the hosts dealt with him pretty easily. As Souness says, that was likely just down to fatigue. He’s been asked to play a lot of football this term and has been called upon to produce at key moments, especially since the turn of the year. That amount of football and that responsibility placed upon you is going to take its toll on you at some point. For Mane, that was against Newcastle on Saturday. As for what Souness says about Origi, he’s being a little harsh. Origi hasn’t had many full games in which to really impress, but he has taken his chances when they’ve come as a substitute. Ultimately that’s all you can ask from a player like him, who’s never going to get past Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino for a regular first team spot.
