Mane believes Liverpool standout is ‘the best player’ in the world

Sadio Mane believes Liverpool are “lucky” to have Mohamed Salah as he is currently “the best player” in world football.

Salah joined Liverpool in 2017 and he has been a phenomenal signing for the English side.

The forward won the Premier League Player of the Year award in 2017/18 but he is arguably in the best form of his career currently.

16 Conclusions on the 66-goal Boxing Day of 1963

The 29-year-old has contributed with 22 goals and nine assists from his 24 outings across all competitions.

Both Mane and Salah will be unavailable for Liverpool at the start of next year. The two forwards, along with Naby Keita, are set to feature at the African Cup of Nations. 

Mane has told Sky Sports that there is no one better than Salah right now.

“Can you say one player better than him right now?

“I think he is the best right now. Every single week he shows it on the pitch.

“Obviously Mo can’t disagree with it, he is the best player. He makes us defend all the time, he is always scoring us and deciding games. We’re just lucky to have him in our squad.”

Mane has also taken time to praise Liverpool duo James Milner and Jordan Henderson:

“I see one player who never gets stiff, which is Millie,” Mane added.

“James Milner is somebody who is always training like games. I always joke with Hendo in training as he is stiff. When we do rondos, you have to pass the correct ball to Henderson or he won’t move.

“But what a lad Hendo is. On the pitch, you can see how good he is. The energy he gives to other players is incredible and he is always working hard. In training, maybe he’s not the same! In games, he’s one of the most hard-working players I’ve seen, along with Millie.”

Elsewhere, Stephen Warnock believes there is no “doubt” surrounding Salah’s future at Liverpool:

“From Liverpool’s point of view, the contract doesn’t just come down to what he’s producing on the pitch, you have to think of what he brings in revenue-wise.

“People come to Anfield to watch him, he sells shirts around the world, he’s a global icon. That plays a part and I think Liverpool know there’s that side of it as well.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt that he will sign a new contract.”