Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool team are being 'carried' by Sadio Mane according to former Tottenham Hotspur striker Garth Crooks.
The BBC pundit has claimed the Senegalese forward has overtaken Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk in being the Reds' most influential player this term.
Crooks told BBC Sport: "Two seasons ago it was Mo Salah who was carrying Liverpool. Last season it was Virgil van Dijk who had a massive influence on the success of the team.
"This season it's Sadio Mane who is carrying Liverpool on his shoulders. His speed, power and strength have been a feature of Liverpool's play this season and without the Senegal international, life at the top would be considerably less comfortable.
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"It was Mane who caused mayhem in Tottenham's ranks the entire match and the reason they lost. With a little help from Serge Aurier, of course."
Liverpool fans will agree with Crooks' opinion that Mane is a world class striker and has been highly influential to the Reds unbeaten start to the season, having scored five goals in 10 outings so far this term.
But fans will also recognise the importance and influence the entire squad are having as the Reds vie for a first league title since 1990.
On Sunday, supporters saw Jordan Henderson pop up with his first goal at Anfield in almost four years, and the week before Adam Lallana tapped home the Reds all-important equaliser against Manchester United.
And last week it was announced the 27-year-old striker had been named alongside seven of his team-mates on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or.
Mane is no doubt a vital cog in Jurgen Klopp's side, a side which is bursting at the seams with talent and influence.
