Sadio Mane rarely needs an excuse to turn on that radiant smile which seems to light up even the darkest corners of the football world.
But in the Nou Camp stadium 24 hours before taking on the might of Barcelona in a contest which will define Liverpool ’s season, there really was a reason.
He was asked about one of the legends of the club, Ronaldinho, a player he truly idolised as a kid growing up in rural Senegal. In fact, he loved the Brazilian so much, he was called by that name himself, by his only slightly mocking friends.
In particular, what did he love about the Barca genius? Cue the Mane trademark, as he illuminated the press room with the brightest of grins. “I loved his skills, his smile on the pitch for sure.
“Maybe when I'm not smiling on the pitch people think I am angry! I would love to have his smile, but we're not similar like that!”
Mane rarely stops smiling. In the tunnel on the way to the pitch moments before last season’s Champions’ League final with Madrid, Liverpool’s players were a picture of concentration and tension. But not the African. he had a beaming grin and was even singing.
Jurgen Klopp fires warning to Lionel Messi ahead of Barcelona clash
So when asked about a record of scoring in every stage of the knockout phase in the Champions’ League over the past two seasons, he couldn’t resist another flashlight smile as he contemplated emulating his hero Ronaldinho.
He would love to score at the Nou Camp, he said. He used to rehearse doing precisely that when he pretended to be the Samba star playing with his schoolfriends back home in Sedhiou in the south of Senegal.
Now, the dream could become a reality. “Ronaldinho was one of my heroes. I really loved watching him play, especially here at Camp Nou,”: he said with another cheeky grin.
“I would have loved to play against him. Him not being here now is an advantage for us! I still love him. He is still my hero forever.”
Jurgen Klopp reveals when Roberto Firmino injury decision will be made
And when prompted that he has scored in six knock out stages so far over the past two Champions’ League seasons, he added:
“Oh really! To be honest, nothing changes, it's just exciting and hopefully tomorrow I can score for the team again. To score in the Nou Camp.”
Mane is undoubtedly feared by Barcelona. In the pre-match press conference the local media concentrated on the threat he could bring, and his scoring menace.
Incredibly, he has scored 15 in his last 18 games to steer Liverpool so close to a glorious Champions and Premier League double…and that has prompted serious interest from Spain, with Real Madrid making noises. He was quick though, to dismiss the prospect.
Asked if he’d like to play in La Liga, he replied mischievously: “Very good question! You guys write it...
“I respect La Liga is a good league, they have great players, but the Premier League is also a wonderful league and every single player would want to play there. So I have a chance to play there and I am very happy, so that's cool.”
Jurgen Klopp's hilarious PFA Awards message after Virgil van Dijk wins Player of the Year
He did though, admit to some regret that his friend and former team-mate Philippe Coutinho will be on the opposite side tomorrow night…and acknowledged the danger the former Liverpool player could pose.
“He is a great great player and I'm a little bit jealous that Barcelona can get him. I would love to see him, But we are happy for him.
“He really enjoyed playing alongside his team-mates and gave everything, and is still young and can improve a lot. I know him, he is a hard worker. Hopefully tomorrow he will still be in bed when we play!”
Rio Ferdinand reveals why Man Utd and Liverpool want Matthijs De Ligt
While Mane was gushing in his praise, Jurgen Klopp was more reserved, pointing out that while they miss such an obvious talent, the miss hasn’t seemed so painful over the past 18 months.
“Yes we miss Phil Coutinho a lot because he's a world class player. I loved working together with him but we've had to deal without him and we've done well.
That's all I can say about that, because people love to make shit stories about that! When I first heard he wanted to go to Barcelona, I couldn't imagine that we would do this well without him but we did and it's all good.”
