Reds main man Sadio Mane, the big game and battle at Anfield

High-flying Liverpool FC host Manchester United Monday night in an eagerly-anticipated Premier League clash of England’s football elite at Anfield.

And when the match kicks off at 10pm, Kenyan time, Africa’s most expensive footballer will endure the extra pressure of delivering on the grand stage for his new employers.

Liverpool forked out 34 million pounds (Sh4.1 billion) to lure Sadio Mane away from Southampton to Anfield, the Senegalese striker having cut his premiership teeth at St Mary’s where he stood out with 21 goals from 67 appearances following a 2014 move from Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.

But in an exclusive interview on Friday night withSunday Nation Sport from the Reds’ Training Facility at Melwood in West Derby, Liverpool, Mane, who also turned out for French club Metz from 2011 to 2012, laughed off the ‘Africa’s most expensive footballer’ tag, claiming he wasn’t aware of this enviable distinction.

"Well, I didn’t know that… thanks for letting me know that I’m Africa’s most expensive player,” Mane, 24, reacted to my question, while also diplomatically deflecting attempts to have him talk tactics ahead of Monday night’s clash against the incoherent Red Devils.

“First of all for me, and what is most important for me, is that I have to do my best on the pitch.”

But the Reds man acknowledged that United, whose flamboyant manager Jose Mourinho unsuccessfully sought his signature once the Senegal international indicated his intention to leave St Mary’s in the summer window, will be a hard nut to crack despite their inconsistent early season form.

“Manchester United is, of course, one of the big teams. But in football, we just have to wait for the match day and take each game at a time,” he said, cheekily sidestepping further prodding for more insights into the big clash.

And speaking at a separate pre-match media interview at Melwood, Mane’s coach, German Jurgen Klopp, whom the Senegalese described as “one of the best coaches”, maintained his respect for Mourinho, the Red Devils and their troubled England striker Wayne Rooney who has lately been warming the bench for both club and country.

“My first Premier League game against United was a good game from my side, we could have won this game but we didn’t because Wayne Rooney scored. Then we had a nice opportunity to play them for the first time in this unbelievably long history between the clubs in Europe (Europa League) and that was a nice challenge,” he said.

“The more you play for in these games and the more interest there is, the more difficult they are but the more excited people are.”

CHARITY LOGO

As Scousers always boast, Liverpool FC “Never Walk Alone” and Monday night, they will walk onto their dreaded Anfield turf wearing a changed home strip with a new shirt logo as they take on their age-old rivals.

Mane and Liverpool FC are supporting their shirt sponsors Standard Chartered’s Seeing is Believing charity which has helped over 285 million people around the world who suffer from preventable blindness.

The Seeing is Believing logo will be in place of the traditional Standard Chartered one for this fixture.

In Kenya, veteran paralympian Henry Wanyoike is the charity’s ambassador and will be in action on October 30 when Standard Chartered sponsor the Nairobi Marathon whose proceeds will go towards helping reduce avoidable blindness in East Africa.

“I’m looking forward to wearing this special jersey against United on Monday,” Mane said.

“Seeing is Believing is a good initiative and coming from Africa where I see children suffering with such conditions as avoidable blindness, I look forward to making my contribution,” the striker told Sunday Nation Sport.

Of course, the topic of Harambee Stars skipper Victor Wanyama had to pop up in the interview, somehow, given that Mane teamed up with the former Celtic defensive midfielder at Saints and the fact that Wanyama is Kenya’s lone player in premiership.

Mane paid glowing tribute to Wanyama, who left St Mary’s for White Hart Lane at the start of this season, joining Tottenham Hotspur on a five-year, 11 million-pound (Sh1.35 billion) deal, describing the Kenyan as “a very, very good player.”

Wanyama has since turned out to be a fans’ favourite at the London club and has been quite effective too, with statistics pointing out an 89 per cent passing efficiency by the “Lion of Muthurwa” in Champions League action, and 88 per cent in the premiership in his combined 685 minutes of action, excluding Saturday’s game at West Brom.

“Victor is a very, very good player and I like him as a player because he is always doing a good job,” said Mane who was born on April 10, 1992, in Senegal’s south-west Sedhiou region.

“He is always working very hard and when we played together at Southampton, after the training sessions, he would all the time go back into the gym for extra work. He always worked extra and had good discipline.”

What about Divock Origi?, I asked in reference to Belgium’s Liverpool striker with Kenyan roots.

Divock’s father, Mike Okoth Origi, was Harambee Stars’ lead striker in the 90s before relocating to Belgium where he played first class football for Oostende, Harelbeke, Genk, Heusden-Zolder, among others, after a brief stint with Oman’s Boshar following his move from Shabana and Kenya Breweries Football Club.

“Divock is a very good player too and I like the way he plays,” was his answer.

“He’s always working very hard every day in training and I think he will be a better player and will score more goals for us.
Mane must be pinching himself at Anfield in disbelief.

He has often been quoted as saying it was always his dream to play in the English Premier League.

Growing up as a 10-year-old boy in Sedhiou, and nicknamed “Ronaldinho”, he would watch football on television and admire Senegal’s legends El Hadji Diouf and Salif Diao who had both been signed up by Gerard Houllier at Anfield.

Sadio Mane and Liverpool FC are supporting Standard Chartered's Seeing Is Believing charity initiative, which helps the 285 million people around the world who suffer from preventable blindness. PHOTO | COURTESY |

“Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world and the quality of players here is amazing,” says Mane, voted the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month for August and September with 49 percent of the vote, beating the likes of Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne (31 per cent), Etienne Capoue of Watford (eight per cent) and Chelsea’s Diego Costa (six per cent).

“I’m very happy to play alongside great players like Danny Ings, Danny Sturridge, Divock Origi, Roberto Firmino and others, and I’m looking forward to playing better and better...”

Mane’s form will be crucial for Senegal’s campaign for a ticket to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The last time the “Lions of Teranga” made it among the world’s elite was way back in 2002 in Japan/South Korea where their kicked up a storm, making the quarter-finals and only being eliminated by the “golden goal” rule when Besiktas’ super sub Ilhan Mansiz struck in the fourth minute of extra time to send Turkey into the semis.

A lot has transpired since.

Mane was just 10 then, and Mansiz has gone on to play for Vissel Kobe (Japan), Hertha Berlin (Germany) and Ankaragucu (Turkey) before morphing into a world class figure skater, just missing out of qualification for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Senegal lead their group in the African 2018 World Cup qualifiers with three points after winning their opening fixture 2-0 against Cape Verde last weekend.

They face South Africa in Polokwane next month with the “Bafana Bafana” having drawn one-all with Burkina Faso in their opening fixture.

“It was an important win for us (against Cape Verde) and it is always important to win. We look forward to approaching the qualifiers game by game and I’m sure we shall qualify for the World Cup.

“I used to watch El Hadji Diouf and the squad of 2002 and I always wanted to play like him and this is now an opportunity for me.”

Mane wouldn’t wish to be drawn into comparisons between his coach at Southampton, Ronald Koeman, and Klopp, his current manager at Anfield.
“They have different styles. Klopp is a very good manager and I’m happy to play under him but I also learnt a lot under Koeman.

“I’m very happy to play under Klopp because it’s a big change for me and I look forward to being a better player because Klopp is one of the best coaches.”

Most certainly, all eyes will be on Mane Monday night as the Red Devils, three points behind their hosts on the log, come calling and seeking to revive their charge.

Liverpool continue their Jekyll and Hyde show with defeat at Burnley

If Liverpool were majestic at times versus Arsenal last weekend then we witnessed their ability to be moronic at a forgettable Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.

The travelling Kop hadn’t been given a chance to complete a rendition of Poor Scouser Tommy before a mixture of Ragnar Klavan’s inability to clear his lines and a suicidal ball from Nathaniel Clyne enabled a quick ball to Sam Vokes and the Reds found themselves with an uphill struggle 90 seconds into the match.

This quick goal was a gift and one Burnley took full advantage of; Sean Dyche instructed his players to drop, Liverpool found themselves trying to break down a compact and disciplined two banks of four, the signs Liverpool looked unable to do this were evident from 8 minutes; Phil Coutinho with the first of many untested shots from 20-plus-yards.

Further misery piled onto Jurgen Klopp’s players as Burnley were able to counter quickly and establish a two-goal lead on 37 minutes. At a time when Liverpool looked on top it was a reminder that goals change games and you must take your opportunities when they arrive.

There was little more for Liverpool fans to witness as good interlink play created very little and when an opportunity was presented the wrong decision was taken; Coutinho choosing the wrong option from inside the box on 41 minutes.

It was unsurprising that the second half offered no evidence of any sort of comeback; Klopp’s decision to go with Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum in midfield must be questioned as both offered little on a day when a creative player could have made all the difference. Emre Can watched on from the sidelines.

Even the return of Daniel Sturridge couldn’t help an abject Liverpool; the England striker, used out wide, had no service but his inability to roll his sleeves up and create his own chances will surely be brought into question. Danny Ings couldn’t even make the bench; his graft and tenacity might have been ideal in this situation.

Liverpool were patient and to their credit used their possession to try and draw Burnley out; the Clarets didn’t fall for it, on the rare occasion they broke their own lines a deep lying creativity was missing from Liverpool’s side.

The world witnessed the very best from Liverpool in 20 superb minutes versus Arsenal; however, Liverpool will need to learn to break down teams who are less open, less likely to play to Liverpool’s strengths if they are to build on last season’s disappointing eighth place.

James Miller was recalled to the side and replaced the much maligned Alberto Moreno at left-back, this will have done little to quell the noise surrounding the position with Milner offering little by the way of forward play; disappointing from all plays he was involved in.

It was evident early on that the 4-3-3 wasn’t the effective way to breakdown a resolute Burnley, had the shape changed to 4-2-3-1 with Firmino behind Sturridge both their afternoon’s could have ended differently – and that of their defensive team mates some 50 yards behind.

Klopp was slow to change things, not just tactically but also with subs – his first not arriving until after the 60-minute mark.

Liverpool need to address their baffling form; it seems to be all or nothing, sometimes within the same 90 minutes. Cries for a dedicated defensive midfielder continue, as do those for a left-back, but Roberto Firmino and Coutinho must offer more on a consistent basis.

Liverpool’s best season in recent memory was littered with an ability to change the game in an instant, to provide that all important lock pick to kick start a Liverpool revival. Both Brazilians must offer more if the memory of a certain Uruguayan is to fade.

Klopp’s record against the big sides is unquestionable but it is the more mundane fixtures against the likes of Burnley that hold the key for Liverpool’s ambitions at a return to the European top table.

12 matches a season against England’s top six must be tempered with an ability to grind out positive results against the rest if Anfield is to welcome a swift return to Champions League football under it’s new Main Stand floodlights.

Liverpool star Danny Ings comments on his return to training; fans delighted

Danny Ings excited upon his return to pre-season training with Liverpool.

Liverpool signed Danny Ings from Burnley at the start of last season and the striker made a very promising start to life at Anfield, winning the fans over with a number of committed displays.

Unfortunately though, Ings would have his season cut short after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in training back in October and the setback would keep him out of action for around eight months.

The 23-year-old did make a return to action in time for the final game of last season, the 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns, and upon his return he expressed his gratitude towards the Reds’ faithful for their support during his time out with injury.

He had told Liverpool’s official website after the game against West Brom, “It's hard to put into words how much this afternoon meant to me, but it's important to say thank you to the people who made it so special and made it happen.

“The supporters were unreal, absolutely out of this world. I didn't expect them to sing my name after I've been out for that long, but it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.”

Following such a difficult campaign, Ings will undoubtedly be raring to go ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign and the striker returned back to pre-season training with the Reds on Saturday.

Ings was happy to link up with his teammates and posted the following message on social media website Twitter to keep the fans updated regarding his fitness.

Is Liverpool FC striker Danny Ings having the best lads holiday ever?

The Reds striker has shared pictures and videos of his holiday on social media.

Is Danny Ings having the best lads’ holiday ever?

The Reds striker has shared pictures from his trip to Ibiza on social media, against the backdrop of turquoise sea and a lavish hotel room.

A video on Instagram showed off the I’m on Top of the World suite, at the Ushuaia Hotel, in Sant Jordi de Ses Salines, - three kilometres south of Ibiza town.

The suite will leave most green with envy, and is decked out with wine cellar, American-style bar, meeting room, dressing room and two bathrooms, according to the hotel’s website.

The 23-year-old footballer seems to be enjoying his time away from Merseyside as he soaks up the sun alongside four friends on a boat, in another of his holiday snaps.

In a second clip on Instagram shows Ings dancing along to music in the background, with the caption, “Sometimes the beat controls you”.

Ushuaïa Beach is one of the most exclusive resorts in Ibiza. Its website says guests can look forward to the highest levels of luxury and it will leave them knowing "how the gods feel".

Its club 'The Cloud' is said to be one of the best places to party, where only true VIPs are allowed in. And it has a number of yachts and boats for the use of its guests.

Do Liverpool need to sign a striker this summer?

Jurgen Klopp's Reds appear to have a good blend of forward options at present.

It’s been a big issue at Liverpool for each of the past two summers.

Striker. Striker. Striker. Goals. Goals. Goals.

In both 2014 and 2015, the Reds’ transfer window revolved around finding that elusive frontman. They tried – and failed – to replace Barcelona-bound Luis Suarez, and then 12 months later attempted to rectify the previous year’s errors.

No fewer than six forwards have been signed in that period, at a total cost approaching £100m. The results, however, have been mixed. By the time September comes, the likelihood is that three of those six will have been moved on – without profit.

It’s a dangerous cycle, chasing your own mistakes in the transfer market. It can cost you time, money and respect. It’s a cycle Liverpool have been in for too long.

So will the summer of 2016 be the same as those that have preceded it?

Mario Gotze (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Is there any need for a frontman?

On the face of it, it shouldn’t be. Sure, Liverpool intend to be busy, and will look to strengthen both team and squad before the new campaign. It's never quiet at Melwood during the summer months.

They’ve already sealed deals for three players – a goalkeeper, a central defender and a central midfielder – and we know of interest in a left back, another central midfielder and, intriguingly, a Mario Gotze.

The striking front, though, appears quiet.

Yes, the rumour mill will continue to link Liverpool with names. Jamie Vardy and Gonzalo Higuain are just two to have cropped up in recent days. “Nothing in it,” was the word when those stories were checked out. Make of that what you will.

Are Liverpool’s forward options for 2016/17, then, already in place? And if so, are they sufficient?

Leicester City's Jamie Vardy (left) scores his sides first goal of the game during the Barclays Premier League match at the King Power Stadium, Leicester. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday February 2, 2016. See PA story SOCCER Leicester. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications

The statistics suggest that goalscoring was not a huge issue for the Reds last season. Their league tally of 63 was only five shy of champions Leicester City, and eight off Manchester City, the Premier League’s top scorers. They managed 14 more than Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United.

The goals were spread, too; five of their squad reached double figures in all competitions.

Four of them will certainly be in Jurgen Klopp’s plans come January. The other, Christian Benteke, faces a battle to convince the manager of his worth, but will not be allowed to leave on the cheap. Add in Danny Ings , fit again after a long-term knee injury, and the Reds look pretty well stocked in terms of goalscorers – even if they are still too reliant on the fragile fitness of Daniel Sturridge for most fans’ liking.

A good blend?

At 26, Sturridge is the veteran of the current crop and much, as ever, will depend on his ability to stay injury-free throughout the course of next season.

He was the Reds’ leading scorer this term, his 13 goals coming from just 19 starts. He’s the best finisher, has the slickest movement and is one of the few players in the squad capable of jaw-dropping, match-winning moments in and around the penalty area. Offer Liverpool 30 games worth of Sturridge next season and they’d bite your hand off.

Daniel Sturridge celebrates with Divock Origi as he scores their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Liverpool at St Mary's Stadium on March 20, 2016 (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)

Alongside him Divock Origi’s progression was one of the real highlights of the campaign. The young Belgian grew in stature, presence and composure. Ten goals in his first season in a new country at the age of 20, and from just 15 starts, screams potential. He’ll only get better, you would imagine.

Likewise Roberto Firmino , whose best performances came when asked to play further forward, and whose first year in England will have taught him plenty about the demands of a league like the Premier League – and a club like Liverpool. He’ll be targeting more than his 11 goal tally of last season, and is a huge favourite of Klopp’s.

It looks a good blend, especially with Ings’ pace and willing thrown into the mix.

When chasing up Liverpool’s reported interest in Vardy, one of the reasons given to knock it down was that the club felt they already had a player of such qualities in Ings, who likes to run in behind, works tirelessly and has a decent eye for goal.

The former Burnley man will return to training early this month, and is desperate to make up for time lost last season. His presence in the squad can only benefit the Reds.

In the meantime, then, Klopp and his recruitment team will continue to work.

Unlike previous years, though, their season does not rest on their ability to find the right striker. Just the right goalkeeper, defender, winger and midfielders....

Danny Ings transfer fee dispute finally set to be resolved

The ongoing saga over how much money we owe Burnley for Danny Ings is finally set to come to a head on Tuesday.

Ings moved to Anfield last summer after his contract with Burnley expired, but because he was under 24-years-old Liverpool were required to pay a compensation fee.

In normal circumstances this fee is agreed upon by the two clubs in question, but problems arose after we valued the striker at £6 million while Burnley felt he was worth £10 million.

As a result, the issue went to a tribunal, and it is thought that a decision will finally be reached during a hearing tomorrow in Manchester (via Echo).

According to Burnley’s chief executive Dave Baldwin, the amount of money at question is unprecedented in such deals, hence the long delays:

“The reason it is different to the ordinary is this tribunal claim will be the biggest in history,” he said.

“The key to this was that we bring the claim against Liverpool, therefore we had to prepare an extremely robust case.

“You’re talking a documentation bundle of probably in excess of 400 or 500 pages with witness statements, evidence, analytics about player performance, the statement as to why we make a judgment as to what we believe the player is worth, compared to what Liverpool want to offer.”

The Echo claim there is no certainty that a conclusion will be reached tomorrow, but Liverpool are hopeful it will be concluded at some stage this week.

Manchester United vs. Liverpool 2016: TV Channel, Live Stream Info, Probable Lineups For Europa League 1st Leg

They are the two most successful clubs in the history of English football, winning 38 titles between them, and they are also England’s two most successful continental exports, landing a combined eight European Cups. The rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United, though, has never before graced the European stage. Until Thursday, that is.

It may not be the Champions League, but the Europa League Round-of-16 meeting between the two sides from England’s North West will still have plenty riding on it.

“Games like this are the mother of all football games and that's what you want,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said ahead of the matchup at Anfield. “We all love football. In each and every region of the world you have games like this. Maybe not with as big names.

“Liverpool v United is one of the best I can imagine. For me to be a part of it I still can't get enough. It's the best thing imaginable.”

Klopp has insisted from the moment the tie was announced that it is one he is relishing, with it adding spice to a competition that has not always been treated with the utmost importance by English clubs over the years. With both clubs struggling in the Premier League this season, however, the Europa League carries plenty of significance.

For both, winning the competition presents perhaps their best opportunity to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Liverpool currently sit seventh in the Premier League, six points off the top four, while Manchester United are one place and three points better off, although having played a game more.

“You have to win—there is no difference [between a league and a cup game],” Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said. “United and Liverpool is always a big game. It's historical and even bigger now because both teams are fighting for a Champions League place.

“I noticed that you [the English media] have a negative view [of the UEFA Europa League] but against teams like Midtjylland there were how many fans? 58,000. The fans of Manchester United are appreciating it. How many fans do I think we'll have against Liverpool? Maybe 75,000. I think Anfield is also sold out, so that's what I have to say—it's very important for both teams and the fans want to see the duel between us.”

Manchester United required a second-leg fight back to overcome Danish champions Midtjylland in the last round, winning 5-1 at Old Trafford after going down 2-1 in the first match. That victory came as part of a resurgent run of form for United as the pressure on Van Gaal was eased by a four successive victories. But that revival was tempered on Sunday by a 1-0 loss to West Brom.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have now gone four matches unbeaten in the Premier League as they show signs of finding some consistency for the first time since Klopp took over last October. There were plenty of nerves, though, in sealing their place in the Europa League last 16 after a 1-0 win over Augsburg at Anfield sent them through by the same scoreline on aggregate.

Ahead of Thursday’s Round of 16 first leg, Klopp has a significant fitness concern after midfielder James Milner missed training on Wednesday due to a virus. If he does miss out, he would join Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen, Joe Gomez and Danny Ings on the sidelines.

Manchester United have received a boost, with Antonio Valencia fit to return to the squad, although Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young, Luke Shaw, Phil Jones and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson remain sidelined. Adding to the list of absentees, Jesse Lingard is suspended, while Bastian Schweinsteiger has only just returned to training and is unlikely to feature.

Probable lineups

Liverpool

G: Mignolet

D: Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno

M: Henderson, Can

Lallana, Firmino, Coutinho

F: Sturridge

Manchester United

G: De Gea

D: Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Rojo

M: Schneiderlin, Herrera

Martial, Mata, Memphis

F: Rashford

Kickoff Time: 3:05 p.m. EST

TV Channel: Fox Sports 2

Live Online Stream: Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer 2Go, ESPN3