Mane: “I Never Doubt Myself”

It may have slipped through the public’s consciousness given the dramatic events that have unfolded since Sunday, but Sadio Mane scored a goal away at Leeds on Monday. His first-half strike was his first goal for Liverpool FC in the Premier League since January. Speaking to the club’s official website after the game, he reflected on the challenge of trying to regain form:

It’s a really, really tough time for me, we have to recognise that, but it’s part of football and I already know it so I’m dealing with it and trying to work as hard as I can to help the team more. It’s my first time but, to be honest, I never doubt [myself]. I just try to be more positive than I’ve ever been, so that’s it.

It’s been slightly bizarre watching one of our most dynamic difference-makers completely lose his shooting boots over the course of the season, but he also contracted COVID-19 in October, and in general... it’s been a hell of a season with all sorts of weird juju happening. The team’s collective finishing has been suboptimal in recent months, and that’s not all on Mane. The encouraging thing is we know that Sadio’s still a selfless teammate who contributes in all areas of play and will hopefully, be putting balls into the back of the net again.