Featured Image Credit: PA Images
Topics: FA Cup, Football, Jamie Carragher, Liverpool, Manchester City, Sadio Mane, Zack Steffen
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: FA Cup, Football, Jamie Carragher, Liverpool, Manchester City, Sadio Mane, Zack Steffen
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has been singled out for praise by Jamie Carragher after a man-of-the-match performance in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
Mane scored two goals, including a spectacular volley, as Liverpool beat City 3-2 at Wembley.
During the match, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher tweeted: “I love Sadio Mane”, followed by the heart emoji.
He later added: “What a player you’ve been and still are for Liverpool.”
Ibrahima Konate gave Liverpool an early lead with a powerful header from a corner before Mane doubled their advantage after capitalising on a huge error from Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
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The United States international lingered on the ball for too long, allowing Mane to slide tackle him and score.
Mane then put Liverpool further ahead shortly before half-time with a superb volley with the outside of his right foot.
Second-half goals for City from Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva set up a nervy finish but Liverpool held on to book their place in the FA Cup final on May 14, where they will face either Chelsea or Crystal Palace.
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Speaking after the match, Mane told the BBC: “Today is special – we were playing one of the best teams in the world.
“To win this kind of game, especially in a semi-final, is a big, big, big win. We were very pleased to win and qualify for the final.
“We started very well, everybody started on the front foot – for my first goal the goalkeeper made a mistake but I think we pushed him to make that mistake.
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“That is our style and I think that made the difference.”
Liverpool fans on social media were also keen to praise the performance of Mane, who has now scored 16 goals in all competitions this season.
“Mane was magnificent today, looking like a new player down the middle. Super Sadio,” wrote one fan on Twitter.
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Another wrote: “I’ll hold my hands up - I didn’t think Sadio Mane was capable of playing like this in the centre forward role.
"Been absolutely superb today.”