Sadio Mané enjoying every moment at Liverpool amid transfer speculation

Sadio Mané wants to “enjoy every moment” in Liverpool’s bid to add more silverware to their collection despite speculation surrounding his future.

Mané joined Liverpool from Southampton in 2016 and has gone on to become one of Europe’s top forwards under Jürgen Klopp. After a dip in form in 2020-21, Mané has scored 15 Premier League goals from 33 appearances this season, leaving him joint-fourth in the competition ranking alongside team-mate Diogo Jota.

Indeed, three of the top five scorers in the competition this season are Liverpool players, with Mohamed Salah (22) leading the way ahead of Tottenham’s Son Heung-min (20) and Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo (18).

Mané’s latest effort came against Aston Villa on Tuesday night, as Liverpool came from behind to beat Steven Gerrard’s side and move level on points with leaders Manchester City, albeit having played a game more. The Senegalese forward, like Salah, will be out of contract at the end of next season, however, and there has been speculation linking him with a move away before the 2022-23 campaign.

Mané’s silverware haul

Bayern Munich and Barcelona are mooted to hold interest in the 30-year-old, who was asked after Tuesday’s win if he had been happier at all during his time at Anfield. “Yeah, sure, when we won the trophies I think I was [happier],” Mané, who has helped Liverpool win a Premier League title, the Champions League, the Club World Cup and this season’s EFL Carabao Cup, told Sky Sports. “But I think I just try to enjoy every moment and try to score and assist for my team-mates. I think it is all about the team or nothing, the boys make it easier for me so I am obviously very happy.”

After Mané’s winner at Villa Park, Liverpool became just the second team in Premier League history to have three players score at least 15 goals in a single campaign, after Yaya Touré, Sergio Agüero and Edin Dzeko achieved the feat for Manchester City in 2013-14.

Speaking about Mané potentially switching Merseyside for Munich, Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said: “When I have watched Liverpool as a fan, Sadio Mané is my favourite player. There is just something about Mané. He’s sacrificed himself at times and the shift he puts in. He, along with Salah, has been doing that for five years, they are never injured! They are there week in, week out for 90 minutes, getting the numbers up there every week. What they have done for this football club is unbelievable. I’m a huge fan of Sadio Mané and I can assure you he will be going nowhere because I will not let him go to Bayern Munich, he’d have me to deal with!”

Those who know Mané say he is a humble man who is not motivated by money or wealth. In his own words, he explained, “Why would I want 10 Ferraris, 20 diamond watches, or two planes? What will these objects do for me and for the world? I was hungry, and I had to work in the field; I survived hard times, played football barefooted, I did not have an education and many other things, but today with what I earn thanks to football, I can help my people. I built schools, a stadium, we provide clothes, shoes, food for people who are in extreme poverty. In addition, I give 70 euros per month to all people in a very poor region of Senegal which contributes to their family economy. I do not need to display luxury cars, luxury homes, trips and even planes. I prefer that my people receive a little of what life has given me”.

Mané giving it back to those more in need

In June last year Mané returned home to Senegal to oversee the inauguration of a hospital in his home village Bambali, built thanks to his $693,000 donation. A couple of years earlier he had donated $350,000 of his own money to build a school there.