Klopp: Mane is not aware of how good he is

Joe Williams

Jurgen Klopp is delighted that Sadio Mane has put pen to paper on a new deal with Liverpool.

The Senegal international has signed a new long-term deal at the club on Thursday that is reported to last until 2023.

Mane joined Liverpool, who face Watford over the weekend, from Southampton in the summer of 2016 on a five-year contract and has gone on to score 40 goals in 89 appearances for the Reds.

Klopp told reporters at the pre-match press conference: “Sometimes he’s not aware of [how good he is.]

“He’s in the best years of his career. It’s all good so far.

“I’m really happy about the fact he’s signed this contract. If a player is in a very good moment in his career and you can extend his contract it’s a statement.

“I’m happy about that. It shows the change the club did in the last few years.

“A few years ago players in a very good moment thought they had to leave the club to make the next step but now the boys think they can make the next step here.

“You sign a player and hope it works out. This club always shows that we realise the value of a player with a new contract.

“We are confident with the squad, we will not change anything in the near future, I don’t think so.

“We have to carry on and use the quality we have. It’s good that it’s settled and that it’s fixed and now nobody has to come and ask for these players. That’s it.”