Jamie Redknapp was stunned to hear Pep Guardiola claim that Liverpool star Sadio Mane does “sometimes dive” ahead of the huge showdown between the Reds and Manchester City at the weekend.
Mane, 27, has arguably been the best player in the Premier League so far this season with the Senegal international scoring 10 goals and supplying five assists in 15 appearances across all competitions.
The ex-Southampton attacker scored a late winner in the 2-1 victory at Aston Villa on Saturday and Redknapp has been full of praise for him since.
However he is still surprised by Guardiola coming out and accusing Mane of diving.
“Hearing Pep Guardiola mention Sadio Mane and diving was surprising. It is unusual to hear a manager say that about a rival player, but I don’t think it was Guardiola trying to wind up Mane ahead of this Sunday’s showdown at Anfield. It wasn’t an attempt at mind games, or a deliberate dig,” said Redknapp on the Daily Mail website.
“I believe Guardiola genuinely fears the threat of Mane. The Manchester City manager has him on his mind. He knows the 27-year-old is now Liverpool’s most important player. He is Jurgen Klopp’s No 1 man, as proven on Saturday.
“In the 65th minute against Aston Villa, with the league leaders losing 1-0, Klopp took off Mohamed Salah. It was a big call, but it paid off. Mane made sure he got his head to the ball, even as Villa’s Jonathan Kodjia was trying to get his boot to it first. What a big, brave goal.”
OPINION
Redknapp makes a very good point. Guardiola is worried about what Mane can do against his defence, especially as the Man City defence has been pretty poor at times this season. Although Liverpool spent a lot of the game against Aston Villa a goal behind, Man City were also in the same boat, at home, against Southampton, who lost 9-0 the week before. It was not a great display at all by the Citizens and while Liverpool were not also at their flying best, being a goal down away to Villa is not as bad. Liverpool need to try and beat Man City this weekend. It is still early days as November has only just started, but it would be a massive three points in terms of the title race if the Reds inflict a defeat upon the reigning champions at Anfield this weekend. Mane, Salah and Roberto Firmino are going to be massive in that game, as will the two full-backs, who will have to defend a lot more than they are used to.
