Arsenal legend Ian Wright has disclosed that Liverpool fans were not right for criticising Senegalese international Sadio Mane for his performances this season. While speaking on his Wrighty’s House Podcast, Ian Wright said he has seen some Liverpool fans criticised Mane for underperforming this season and he was surprised at the criticisms.
Mane was the star of the show as he scored twice with one goal coming in each half to lead Liverpool to a 2-0 win at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday. Liverpool needed to win the game to secure Champions League football next season and Mane delivered the goods for his team. The Liverpool attacker scored in the first half to give the Reds the lead at the half-time break off the assist from fellow attacker Roberto Firmino before he wrapped up the win in the second half off the assist from Egyptian national team star Mohamed Salah.
Mane has been a part of the potent attacking trio at Liverpool alongside Salah and Firmino. With the help of the three attackers, Liverpool won the Premier League title last season finishing an astonishing 18 points ahead of Manchester City whom they succeeded as champions but the Reds were not able to defend their title thus paving way for the Citizens to win the league title back.
Liverpool were not able to defend their title as expected thanks to many factors including the loss of form on the part of attackers like Mane and Firmino during the season. The Reds struggled to qualify for Champions League football and had to make sure of it on the final day of the season. The six-time European champions were also affected by the loss of key defenders like Dutchman Virgil Van Dijk, Englishman Joe Gomez and Cameroonian player Joel Matip. Liverpool still managed to secure third position on the log at the end of the season despite these factors.
