Name: Sadio Mane
Country: Senegal
Position: Forward
FIFA World Cup appearances: Debut
When it comes to Liverpool’s brilliant run this season, Mohamed Salah is the footballer that gets the lion share of the appreciation. (Full schedule of FIFA World Cup 2018)
However, the Senegalese forward Sadio Mane has been an equally prolific performer for the UEFA Champions League finalists this season and he will surely be looking to continue his domination when he takes the field for his country in the FIFA World Cup 2018.
With 33 goals from 73 matches, Mane has been a mainstay in the Liverpool attack since joining the Merseyside club from Southampton.
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In the 2017-18 season, the trio of Salah, Mane and Roberto Firmino has wreaked havoc on defences all around Europe and the numbers speak for themselves.
Mane, who missed a part of the season due to injuries, scored 10 goals in the Premier League but his exploits in the Champions League was responsible for his team’s brilliant run. The 26-year old scored 10 goals in 13 matches and his best performance was a brilliant hat-trick against FC Porto.
Senegal secured their berth in the FIFA World Cup 2018 thanks to an unbeaten run in the qualifiers and Mane played his part for the side with two goals.
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Senegal’s final game against South Africa had to replay due to allegations of match-fixing referee Joseph Lamprey but they won the replay 2-0.
They are clubbed with Columbia, Poland and Japan in Group H and with no big-name teams, they have a good chance of reaching the knock-out stages and Mane will certainly play a major role.
