• Senegalese star spent six years at Anfield
• Now plying his trade in the Middle East
• Considered to be the complete forward

WHAT HAPPENED?

Senegal international Mane spent six years at Anfield between 2016 and 2022 – helping the Reds to Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Club World Cup honours. He hit 120 goals through 269 appearances and formed part of a fearsome three-pronged attack that also included Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Alexander-Arnold got to watch those three in action on a daily basis, as a club colleague on Merseyside, and has paid Mane the ultimate compliment by suggesting that he occupies the same talent bracket as five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo.

WHAT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD SAID ABOUT MANE

Alexander-Arnold was speaking on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet, and said of an African star that also shone for Southampton while in English football: “Sadio Mane is the one player that I played with that I’ve always thought, I’m thankful that I didn’t have to play against him. He was the perfect attacker, he had everything. As an athlete, he was similar to Cristiano Ronaldo – he had the jump, was fast, could finish both feet, and was a threat at all times.”

WHAT NEXT?

Mane is now a team-mate of Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League. He moved to the Middle East in 2023 – after seeing a switch to Bayern Munich from Liverpool last just one season – and has plundered 15 goals alongside CR7 in the current campaign.