Graeme Souness has claimed that he would be “encouraged” by Pep Guardiola’s latest comments on Sadio Mane if he was Liverpool manager.
The Manchester City manager made a sly dig at the Senegalese international over the weekend, suggesting that he has a propensity for diving, as per the BBC.
But Souness believes that the statement shows that the City boss is rattled by Liverpool’s current form.
Speaking on VM Sport, he said: “I’d be encouraged if I was in the Liverpool camp.
“Soon after City’s game finished he talked about his own team and then immediately he came out with his remarks regarding Sadio Mane.
“You’re thinking too much about Mane and Liverpool immediately after the game. I’d be encouraged by that if I was a Liverpool player or member of staff. All you can do in football is be concerned with your own lot and the next game.”
"I'd be encouraged if I was in the Liverpool camp."
Graeme Souness thinks the Merseysiders can take positives from Guardiola's Mane comments.@VMSportIE #VMsport #Wefreesport pic.twitter.com/3KAKrZWTsn
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) November 5, 2019
OPINION
Pep Guardiola wouldn’t be human if he wasn’t worried by Liverpool’s current form. After all, the Reds are running riot in the Premier League, and their continued dominance has seen them open up a decent six point lead at such an early stage of the season. Win on Sunday, and that lead is nine, and beginning to look lethal. Obviously Pep is concerned, but what’s more shocking is how easily he has let his usual cool facade crack. Ordinarily, the Spaniard is a classy character, but in this instance he has let his guard down, and in doing so, has arguably made a bad mistake in the psychological battle for the Premier League. Him accusing Mane of diving isn’t going to change a referee’s perspective or stop the forward from playing his usual game, but it is going to act as a massive signpost to Liverpool’s squad that they have him on the rocks.
