Former Liverpool forward Michael Owen has hailed Sadio Mane for being 'very honest' during his side’s 1-0 win against Wolves on Monday night.
A strike from Diogo Jota against his former club was enough to hand Jurgen Klopp’s side all three points at Molineux as the Reds returned to winning ways in the Premier League.
After a bright start from both sides, the Senegalese international had opportunities to open the scoring in the early stages of the game, but failed to find the back of the net.
But it was one of those missed opportunities that caught the eye of Owen and former Liverpool midfielder Paul Ince.
After being played through by Gini Wijnaldum, Mane appeared to stay on his feet after being clipped by Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio before his cross was cleared.
And the former England pair both believe Mane’s honesty to stay on his feet prevented the Reds from being awarded a deserved penalty.
“He decides to go around the keeper and stays on his feet,” Owen told Premier League productions last night.
“I think we see often strikers go down too easy. We just see a hand (from the Wolves keeper), he touches Sadio Mane’s foot there. He has every right to go down.
“But I think it’s only fair when we have a go at attackers for going down too early, it’s only fair to give them a little praise as well. We don’t like to see them diving.
“And there have been a few instances lately with Sadio Mane where he has stayed on his feet.
“I think we have to applaud that sometimes – and give them praise. Sadio Mane being very honest, at the moment.”
Before former Reds skipper Ince added: “Michael is right, he is very honest. It has to be clear and obvious. We don’t want players any contact, going over and then diving.
“So, it’s great to see a player, especially Mane who’s got criticism for going down (too easily) during the last couple of years, try and stay up and score a goal. I think it’s great to see.”
