Undaunted Mane makes bold Liverpool claim ahead of Merseyside derby Liverpool winger Sadio Mane insists that he would be more than happy to play as a striker in the future after scoring twice against Watford. Mane was asked to play in a central role against the Hornets, with first-choice striker Roberto Firmino unavailable through injury. The Senegal international scored twice including a sensational backheeled effort as the Reds ran out 5-0 winners at Anfield on Wednesday night. Mane says he would be willing to play again as centre-forward if needed in the Merseyside derby against Everton on Sunday. “To be honest I was quite surprised,” Mane told Sky Sports News. “I never played there before, I was nervous. “Before the game the coach called me and said ‘okay we are going to make some changes, Sadio you have to play number nine’. “I said ‘Oh!’, and I looked at my team-mates… I was laughing and I said ‘we are a team so you have to trust me!’. “They were all laughing at me but I said ‘from today, call me Ronaldo or Firmino!’. “Gini [Wijnaldum] said ‘You have to score. If you score we’ll call you Ronaldo, if not, you’re s***!’. “I was lucky to score two goals but honestly I don’t mind. I’m happy to play left or right side but if the team or the coach needs me as a striker, I’ll try again.” Get the latest personalised Reds products on our new TEAMtalk Liverpool shop! The post Undaunted Mane makes bold Liverpool claim ahead of Merseyside derby appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Liverpool winger Sadio Mane insists that he would be more than happy to play as a striker in the future after scoring twice against Watford.

Mane was asked to play in a central role against the Hornets, with first-choice striker Roberto Firmino unavailable through injury.

The Senegal international scored twice including a sensational backheeled effort as the Reds ran out 5-0 winners at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Mane says he would be willing to play again as centre-forward if needed in the Merseyside derby against Everton on Sunday.

“To be honest I was quite surprised,” Mane told Sky Sports News. “I never played there before, I was nervous.

“Before the game the coach called me and said ‘okay we are going to make some changes, Sadio you have to play number nine’.

“I said ‘Oh!’, and I looked at my team-mates… I was laughing and I said ‘we are a team so you have to trust me!’.

“They were all laughing at me but I said ‘from today, call me Ronaldo or Firmino!’.

“Gini [Wijnaldum] said ‘You have to score. If you score we’ll call you Ronaldo, if not, you’re s***!’.

“I was lucky to score two goals but honestly I don’t mind. I’m happy to play left or right side but if the team or the coach needs me as a striker, I’ll try again.”

 

 

Get the latest personalised Reds products on our new TEAMtalk Liverpool shop!

 

The post Undaunted Mane makes bold Liverpool claim ahead of Merseyside derby appeared first on teamtalk.com.

Robert McCarthy