Isco is seemingly an ever-present name in Liverpool’s (Tuttosport via the Daily Mail) rumour column whilst Zidane is said (via France Football) to be interested in Sadio Mane as he looks to reform a broken Real Madrid side.

It goes without saying that the two players are currently experiencing very different seasons at their respective clubs.

On top of the misery of being dumped out of every possible competition, Isco has faced the imposed isolation from former manager Santiago Solari, who has quite rightly been sacked for one of the unsuccessful reigns in the club’s illustrious history.

The gossip surrounding the Spaniard’s future may have calmed thanks to the recent appointment of Zidane, who is a firm admirer of the player, but there is still every chance he could be used as a makeweight for Mane’s future transfer to the club – with Madrid reportedly very keen on the player.

Mane, on the other hand, has been in tremendous form for Liverpool of late and is the key player in their drive for the Premier League title and Champions League.

But who comes out on top?

Sadio Mane

FSG really did pull off a masterstroke by signing him for £34 million back in the summer of 2016 as he's gone on to become a world-class attacker and one of the Reds' current heroes.

Senegal international Sadio Mane has been sensational in recent times, bagging nine goals in his previous ten games, lifting Liverpool from their recent ‘slump’ – if you could call it that.

He has more than capably taken the star role from Mohamed Salah, and as far as we are concerned, is a more important player to the club at the moment. A sentiment echoed by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp, who declared the forward “the main man” (via Sky Sports Football YouTube channel).

The industrious efforts of Mane both in attack and defence has really caught our eye so far this season, as it has with every previous campaign, but the fact that he has added more goals to his game (which were not lacking in the first place) makes him one of the most exciting talents in the world at this moment in time.

TT Rating: A+

Isco

Isco, who is valued at £54 million (by Transfermarkt), will want to put this season behind him after what has proven to be an absolute nightmare experience.

Despite being favoured by the former, and considerably more successful, Real Madrid manager Zidane, Isco found himself slumped on the bench more often than he was on the pitch, and the team suffered because of it.

The Spaniard is easily one of the most gifted players in the game when it comes to technical ability and dribbling, using his immense ability to weave past punters with the most admirable ease.

His goalscoring efforts are not too bad either.

During his prolific campaign (2017/18), the Spaniard recorded an impressive 10 goals in 30 games, and though these statistics have declined slightly since then, we think it is fair to say that he has the return to his best in front of goal.

Should Isco sign for Liverpool there is every bit of evidence to suggest that he would have a similar, if not better, impact on the squad.

TT Rating: A-

TT Verdict:

Both players are world-class but we have decided to go with Sadio Mane on this occasion.

The Liverpool forward has been on fire this season scoring goals, making chances, chasing back, defending, and passing – he has mastered the lot.

At this moment in time he's simply outclassing Isco in all departments.

To knock Salah off his perch as the most important forward plater is no easy feat, but Mane has managed it with relative ease at such a vital stage of the season as well.

However, we must add that once Isco is back to his best then the results could look a little different.