Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has dampened speculation over a summer transfer by insisting that he is ‘more proud than ever’ to play for the Reds.
After the highs of the last two campaigns, Jurgen Klopp‘s side have fallen dramatically off their perch this season and could struggle to qualify for next seasons UEFA Champions League.
Mane has frequently been linked with Real Madrid over the last 12 months and was speculation set to reach a fever pitch over the summer should Liverpool fail to reach Europe’s elite competition.
However, whilst away on international duty with Senegal, Mane has acted to quell the furore.
Speaking ahead of Senegal’s 0-0 draw with Congo in an African Cup of Nations qualifier, Mane said: “I am happy, I am really enjoying sharing the pitch with my team-mates for Liverpool Football Club.
“We have to deal with the situation and not stop believing, but keep fighting, keep our motivation and go again. When you are a fighter you never try to make excuses, we are here to find solutions.
“Being together with my teammates always gives me high energy. In football – and in life in general – you can’t expect anything and for years and years, this complicated situation has not happened.
“We have always been successful, but now this has happened and we can see it is like how life is.”
Mane has dipped below his own incredibly high standards this season, scoring seven Premier League goals in 26 appearances, having hit 18 in 35 outings last term.
L4L’s VIEW
Music to the ears of Liverpool fans everywhere.
If the Reds are going to galvanise and produce another onslaught on the Premier League next season, they will need all their superstars fitting on all cylinders – including Mane.
