Liverpool striker Sadio Mane is the key driving force in the Reds’ title challenge this season according to former Everton footballer Leon Osman. The Senegalese has been in terrific form in front of goal off late and is continuing to deliver for Liverpool to keep them in the title hunt. He has been scoring goals at will, while the likes of Mo Salah and Firmino have been failing to add to their tally in recent games.
There are only eight games left in the Premier League this season and the title race is coming down to an incredible fight at the top of the League. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool currently sit at the summit of the table with a two-point lead over champions Manchester City. Although, Pep Guardiola’s side still have a game in hand and could regain the lead by one point when they play their encounter against Fulham on the 30th of March.
Credit needs to be given for Jurgen Klopp’s outfit as they have admirable been in contention for the title against an astonishing City side that broke plenty of records to win the Premiership last term by reaching 100 points. But this season Liverpool is giving them close competition and there are a few players for Liverpool who are performing at the highest level.
The most recent test for Liverpool was at Craven Cottage when Fulham hosted the Reds. The London club made it extremely difficult for Liverpool as they sat back in defense trying to keep out Liverpool from scoring. With the form that Sadio Mane is in, it’s almost inevitable that the Senegalese forward will find the back of the net eventually and he did. After just 26 minutes on the clock, Mane netted his 11th goal in eleven games across all competitions to give his team the lead.
Fulham then equalized after a calamitous error at the back when Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson made a hash of a rather comfortable situation and former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel was able to put the ball into an unguarded net.
With Liverpool’s title hopes on the line, Sadio Mane was once again the man to go to as he earned Liverpool a late penalty which James Milner converted from the spot. This gave the Reds a 2-1 lead and all three points as they headed into the international break.
The 26-year-old Mane now has 17 goals in the Premier League and is in the race for the Golden Boot. Off-late, his performances have been absolutely incredible as he has managed to net nine goals in 2019, a feat only matched by Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.
Even former Everton midfielder Leon Osman has stated that Sadio Mane is now the driving force behind Liverpool’s title challenge as Mohamed Salah’s form seems to have dipped at the wrong time. The Egyptian does not look his regular sharp self and Mane has taken over the mantle to guide Liverpool to success if he can. Mane has really stepped up his game for the Merseyside club and his goals are proving to be their worth in gold.
