Liverpool forward Sadio Mane was included in BBC pundit Garth Crooks’ team of the week following last weekend’s Premier League action.
When discussing his selections in his BBC column, Crooks said: “Two seasons ago it was Mo Salah who was carrying Liverpool. Last season it was Virgil van Dijk who had a massive influence on the success of the team. This season it’s Sadio Mane who is carrying Liverpool on his shoulders.”
Coming into tonight’s Carabao Cup game against Arsenal, the Senegal forward is their leading scorer for the season with nine goals in 14 games in all competitions, having played for 1,162 minutes. [via TransferMarkt]
Salah is one goal behind him despite playing 112 minutes more, while Roberto Firmino has only a third of Mane’s scoring tally despite having 86 more minutes of gametime than the Senegal man. [via TransferMarkt]
Mane has actually taken far fewer shots per game (2.1) in the Premier League than his fellow Reds forwards, with Salah registering 3.7 shots per game and Firmino averaging 3.2. [via WhoScored]
While Mane didn’t get on the scoresheet against Tottenham, without his goals Liverpool would be four points worse off in the Premier League and have two fewer points in their Champions League group. [via TransferMarkt]
However, these Liverpool fans on Twitter disputed Crooks’ statement about the 27-year-old “carrying” the team, believing it to be dismissive of others in the squad:
I honestly don’t listen to a word Crooks says.
— Steven Paul (@gibo2503) October 29, 2019
This man chats some rubbish it’s the TEAM that wins matches and what a team they are
— Mo (@Mk1Khan) October 29, 2019
Lost1 game out of 48.went on a 17game winning streak.haven’t lost at Anfield since 2017.lost 1 premier league game last yr,havent lost a prem game this year,maxed 97 points last season.(lost out to a fantastic man city team)oh and European champions ..but mane is carrying us
— Luke (@LukeO1234) October 29, 2019
Mane is world class for sure but so are about 13 more of our squad too
— Stuart Spencer (@stuartspencer75) October 29, 2019
Why are the media always trying to turn us into a one man team lol everyone chips in
— Jamie (@JamieSZN_) October 29, 2019
Mane is brilliant but we have a fantastic squad of players all contributing. Just look at Ox coming in a scoring 2 v Genk, Fabinho’s performance, the 2 full backs, Matip, Firminos workrate, Salah goals, Adrian stepping up for Alisson. This is not a one man team
— Mark Scorr (@Fonzy09) October 29, 2019
Yeah unbeaten in 20 odd games & it’s all down to 1 player, nice one Garth!
— Kev B (@kjbuckley78) October 29, 2019
He’s not carrying anyone. The whole team turns up
— Corey Dainty (@corey_dainty) October 29, 2019
Some opinions are frivolous. Every player in this current team is massive. Tirelessly working for silverware
— Dennis Segera (@SirBobbyFirmino) October 29, 2019
What did you make of Crooks’ comments about Mane carrying Liverpool this season? Let us know what you think by commenting below!
