Mane names controversial character as Prem hero

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has revealed the controversial choice of the player he idolised growing up.

El-Hadji Diouf, the much-maligned Senegal striker, played on Merseyside between 2002 and 2005 – and current Liverpool favourite Mane says he was his favourite growing up.

Mane’s choice may come as a shock to Reds fans, who look unfavourably on the man who was brought to Anfield by Gerard Houllier from Lens in 2002.

Diouf, the only No 9 in the club’s history to go a season without scoring, was unpopular with team-mates and opponents alike after spitting at a Celtic fan during a 2003 UEFA Cup tie. To add grist to the mill, he regularly publicly criticises Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard and often clashes with another club legend, Jamie Carragher.

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But Mane has revealed it was Diouf’s exploits for Senegal at the 2002 World Cup that catapulted him into his affections.

“When I was young I was watching El-Hadji Diouf as he was one of my heroes,” Mane told the Premier League.

“He also played for Liverpool and he was a big motivation because he was a great player for [Senegal].

“He was one of the best players ever in Senegal.”