“He’s Fantastic” – Man Utd Legend Hails Liverpool Star After Performance vs Red Star

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand heaped praise on Sadio Mane after his goal scoring display during Liverpool’s 4-0 Champions League victory over Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday night.

Liverpool made light work of the Serbian champions at Anfield as they secured a comfortable 4-0 win thanks largely to a brace from Mohamed Salah after Roberto Firmino had opened the scoring early in the first half.

Mane missed a penalty after the break but made up for it as the Senegalese attacker slotted home Liverpool’s fourth goal late on to wrap-up a win that moves then top of Group C after Paris Saint-Germain drew with Napoli in last night’s other group game.

It was Mane’s fifth goal of the season and Ferdinand believes the 26-year-old is a vital part of Jurgen Klopp’s set-up with the former Manchester United defender claiming Liverpool felt his absence at the weekend when they limped to a narrow 1-0 win over Huddersfield.

Mane missed the trip to the John Smith’s Stadium with a broken thumb but impressed on his return to the side last night and Ferdinand reserved special praise for the attacker after labelling the attacker as ‘fantastic’ and a ‘nightmare’ for defenders.

Speaking as a pundit on BT Sport, Ferdinand is quoted by the Mirror as saying:

“Yeah 100 per cent (Mane is very important) and I think that was highlighted at the weekend. He missed the game at Huddersfield at the weekend and what he does give them is legs and the willingness to run behind. For a defender, that is a nightmare.

“And when he does that, it opens the spaces for the likes of Firmino to drop in. His link-up play is second to none at the moment Firmino. He comes in short, draws defenders, makes them think, and this guy always runs in behind. He’s always threatening that space in behind to exploit and get goals.

“Here you see Firmino goes deep, who’s going to be up against the last defenders? The man you want to be in there. And this is what I love about him, snap-shot, bang, goal. No second thoughts and he’s fantastic.

“I just think that extra bit of dynamism, bit of pace, is something that is a huge threat for defenders, puts them on the back foot and allows space for midfielders.”

Mane has proven to be an excellent signing for Liverpool since joining the club from Southampton in 2016 as he’s provided 38 goals and 18 assists in his 85 appearances to help they Merseysiders become genuine title contenders again.

The Reds will look to keep the pressure on Manchester City with another win they they welcome Cardiff City to Anfield on Saturday afternoon ahead of City’s trip to Tottenham on Monday night.