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The biggest performances mean that much more when the lights are brightest. While Sadio Mané has been on a tear of late, bagging a heady 10 goals in his past 10 outings, appreciation of his run of form and overall quality came to head following a masterful display Wednesday night in the Champions League.
An emphatic brace, including a brilliant opening goal in which he bamboozled one of the game’s great goalkeepers in Manuel Neuer, drove his side into quarterfinals of the European competition by way of dispatching German giants, Bayern Munich 3-1 on aggregate.
The press have wizened up to a player in the form of his life at the moment and have dutifully lavished the Reds’ speedster of recent. Liverpool midfielder, Gini Wijnaldum, for one thinks the attention on his teammate’s quality is long overdue
“He is really good,” the Reds’ no. 5 said speaking to Sky Sports. “The games tell you that, he is really important with his goals and assists. A good season, his best with us.”
”[The media] do not speak about him? I think the other players have shown they get the headlines but Sadio also.”
With his double against Bayern, Mané notched his 18th and 19th goals of the campaign, putting him pace to blow past his previous season best of 20 goals that he reached last year. The run of form has come at an opportune time at the business end of the season, particularly given fellow attacker, Mohamed Salah’s recent dry spell in front of goal.
”[Mané] has had a big influence on winning games,” Wijnaldum continued. “Mo did not score [against Bayern] but had a good game.
”People speak about the player who had two goals. A lot of players do the work and make the difference.
”You have to speak about everyone. For me, Sadio is up there with those players you named.”
With the Champions League quarterfinal draw set to take place on Friday, Liverpool will know that the likes of Mané are poised to take on all comers.