Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has lavished praise on Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Mo Salah for their displays in recent months.
Wenger says it would have been easy to excuse the pair for being tired after their exertions for their countries at AFCON, but they returned to their club with the intention of playing a key role in Liverpool’s hunt for trophies:
“Look at Salah and Mane, who played the Africa Nations Cup final. What they have done since they have come back, it’s monstrous. We would have complained in Europe that we played too many games – never a word. Tonight [against Villarreal], Mane has been kicked all over the place, never a word.”
To be fair, you would have to say that Mane has been a lot better than Salah in recent months since their return in February, but you can’t fault either player’s work rate or energy levels during the run-in.
Despite playing every three to four days, neither player has been rested and, even with the physical demands, they continue to step up to the plate with goals and assists. With the finishing line in sight, with four games remaining in the league and two cup finals to play, the duo will be looking to end the campaign strongly.