adminSADIO Mane showed Liverpool what they’re missing with a stunning debut performance for Bayern Munich.
Mane joined the Bundesliga champions in the summer after six highly-successful seasons at Anfield. And the Senegalese star wasted little time making his mark in his new surroundings as Bayern thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 6-1 on Friday night.
The 30-year-old forward opened his Bundesliga account for his new club with the third goal of the evening, but it was his all-round performance that had fans purring. Mane was a constant threat against last season’s Europa Conference League winners and often dropped deep to pick up the ball so that he could influence the game.
He got his name on the scoresheet in the 29th minute, brilliantly heading home from Serge Gnabry’s pinpoint delivery. And he turned provider just a few minutes later, playing in Thomas Muller who fed through Jamal Musiala to make it 4-0.
Mane looked right at home in the red of Bayern Munich, with one supporter writing on Twitter: “This guy was a big impact at 3 of 6 goals and on every goal outside a freekick or Corner. That’s really special in his first Bundesliga game.”
But while it was a Bundesliga debut to remember for the former Southampton star, his old club had an opening day to forget as they struggled to a 2-2 draw against Fulham.
Mane’s absence was keenly felt in the first half at Craven Cottage as Jurgen Klopp’s side struggled to create opportunities and found themselves 1-0 down at the break.
Football fans suggested as much on social media. One person wrote: “Sadio Mane was carrying Liverpool but the praise was being given to Salah.”
As another questioned: “Liverpool missing Mane’s firepower?” While a third person added: “Can we conclude that Sadio Mane has been carrying this finished Liverpool team for a long time?”
Despite Mane’s absence, the Reds looked much better in the second half and recovered to rescue a hard-earned 2-2 draw. New boy Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah both got their names on the scoresheet as Liverpool salvaged a point in west London. – Daily Star.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter