Mané: “The Most Important Thing is the Reaction”

In their last four games, Liverpool have outplayed the opposition three times. In the fourth game, against Manchester City, they played their opponents level until a sending off tipped the balance. Despite that, all they have to show for September so far is two draws and two losses.

With two Premier League games, one in the Champions League, and one in the League Cup—that they lost, knocking them out of the competition at the first time of asking—it’s been a bad month of results spread across all competitions, but Sadio Mané thinks it’s not reason for panic.

“Sometimes it can happen in football,” he said of Liverpool’s poor September return despite the fact that, for the most part, most would say they have been the better side. “The most important thing is the reaction and it is important to do that. We have a great team with great qualities.”

Mané will have to count on his teammates providing the reaction on Saturday as he sits out the final match of his three-game ban for a boot to the face of City goalkeeper Ederson—the red card incident that left Liverpool at a major disadvantage against the current league leaders.

If they can continue to play as they have since—in draws with Sevilla and Burnley and a loss to Leicester City—things should be fine, though. If they can continue to play like they have, the results should come. Or at least that’s what Mané and Liverpool will be counting on in two days.

“These kinds of results can happen for any team,” he added. “But we will do our best to change the situation.”