Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has explained how he was “gutted” to see his former team-mate Sadio Mane miss the World Cup.
The Reds full-back played alongside Mane for several years before the winger left Anfield in the summer. After six years on Merseyside, Mane moved to Bayern Munich in a deal that could reach £35million.
Alexander-Arnold is currently with the England squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Three Lions are preparing to face Senegal in their last-16 tie on Sunday.
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However, Senegal will not have Mane in their squad for the match against England. The 31-year-old is absent from the tournament after suffering an injury with Bayern last month.
Alexander-Arnold has spoken about the impact that Mane can have on games single-handedly, and why he was “gutted” to see his former team-mate miss the World Cup through injury.
“They’re a top team, I think any team that reaches the last-16 is going to be a top team,” Alexander-Arnold told Talksport.
“I’m sure that no matter what we say or do, we’ll be going into the game as favourites. But we as a team understand how good they are and understand that in 90 minutes of football, anything can happen.
“If we play at 90-95 percent then we’ll be going home, because that’s not good enough. If we’re not at 100 percent then it’s not good enough at all, so that’s where our heads are at.
“Sadio brings a completely different aspect to that side, one of the top five in the Ballon d’Or at least and that’s all that needs to be said.
“He’s someone who is a world class player, and someone, as bad as it sounds, it probably helps us that we’re not playing against him.
“That’s the level of player [he is], and I only say that out of pure respect for him. I played against him in training and it’s nice, it’s not a nice feeling.
“He’s one of if not the best left winger in the world in my opinion, and someone who can win games. I’ve seen it on multiple occasions and I’ve been part of a team that has benefitted from it.
“I was absolutely gutted that he had to miss out on this tournament, and he’s someone who I have got a really good relationship with.”
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