There were several big names that arrived in the Premier League for this season (or moved to another Premier League side), and fans didn’t have to wait a long time to see what these newcomers could do to help their teams aspirations for this upcoming season, one of the most exciting and competitive tournaments we have seen in ages.
Even if some players often struggle to adjust to a new team, a new league, a new country and culture and a new manager, some players instantly show their talents and what they’re capable of, bringing instant joy to their new fans.
Names of the likes of Joe Allen, Eric Bailly, N’ Golo Kanté, Wijnaldum, Sissoko and Shkodran Mustafi had reinforced their sides in a pretty outstanding way so far, but even if they’ve been huge signings, there has been a player that has simply stand out the most than any new name, and even more than some already proven veterans, and this player is Liverpool’s new star, Sadio Mane.
Mane has definitely been a complete force for Liverpool, as Jurgen Klopp’s side is currently sitting at the top of the Premier League table and are on the verge of a historic season that might as well lead them to their first Premier League title in the club’s history.
The Senegalese has netted 6 goals to go along with 2 assists in ten appearances for the Reds so far this season, and even if his awesome game has provided some very nice numbers, some of his skills can’t be measured with statistics.
Mane has made everybody around him really better, forming a lethal trio with the Brazilian wonder boys Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho, who too have been one of the most stand-out players in the Premier League so far this season.
The 24-year-old speedster is just uncoverable, and while opposing defenses are trying his best to contain him, spaces get open wide for Firmino, Lallana or Coutinho to take the initiative and try to harm the opposing side, leading Liverpool to a 30 goal season through eleven weeks, most than every other side in the Premier League.
Besides, Mane’s versatility has taken Klopp’s system to another level, as he counts with excellent skills with both feet and has an absurd mobility that allows him to gravitate through the entire offensive front of the team, making impossible to cover him at all times.
Some people stated that Liverpool overpaid the Saints when they invested £36m in the Senegalese, but so far he’s paid his price with high praise, and Liverpool’s definitely going to miss him when he leaves Anfield in order to play for his national team in this upcoming African Cup.
Mane’s been a key piece in Liverpool’s recent success, and they’re going to need to keep him tied to Anfield for several more years in order to keep this process running at the high standards that Jurgen Klopp is currently setting for his team.