This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola “fears the threat” of Liverpool’s goal machine Sadio Mane, says pundit Jamie Redknapp.
What did he say?
Liverpool and City are set to clash this Sunday at Anfield in what is looking like being the biggest game of the season so far. A loss for the champions would put the Reds nine points clear with just 12 games gone.
Looking ahead to the crucial fixture, Redknapp believes that City boss Guardiola is fearful of the threat from Jurgen Klopp’s main man in Sadio Mane.
Redknapp wrote in his Daily Mail column: “Hearing Pep Guardiola mention Sadio Mane and diving was surprising.
“It is unusual to hear a manager say that about a rival player, but I don’t think it was Guardiola trying to wind up Mane ahead of this Sunday’s showdown at Anfield. It wasn’t an attempt at mind games, or a deliberate dig.
“I believe Guardiola genuinely fears the threat of Mane. The Manchester City manager has him on his mind.
“He knows the 27-year-old is now Liverpool’s most important player. He is Jurgen Klopp’s No 1 man, as proven on Saturday.”
Mane’s magic the difference
The former Southampton man has been the main attacking threat for the Reds this season. Mane’s six goals in the league so far put him ahead of Mohamed Salah on five and Roberto Firmino’s three.
Not only does the 27-year-old lead the way as top scorer, his goals have also come at huge moments, such as his 94th-minute winner against Aston Villa.
His two goals against Newcastle United earlier in the season equalised and then sealed all three points for the Reds that day. He also netted the opener recently against Leicester City in a tough game at Anfield a few weeks back.
Without his goal in the dying seconds against Villa and his goals against Newcastle and the Foxes, there is a good chance City would already be ahead of Liverpool right now.
Mane’s importance is simply unrivalled right now.
