Sadio Mane is “similar to Cristiano Ronaldo”, says Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the ex-Liverpool star now working alongside CR7 at Al-Nassr.
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Senegalese star spent six years at AnfieldNow plying his trade in the Middle EastConsidered to be the complete forwardWHAT HAPPENED?
Senegal international Mane spent six years at Anfield between 2016 and 2022 – helping the Reds to Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Club World Cup honours. He hit 120 goals through 269 appearances and formed part of a fearsome three-pronged attack that also included Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Alexander-Arnold got to watch those three in action on a daily basis, as a club colleague on Merseyside, and has paid Mane the ultimate compliment by suggesting that he occupies the same talent bracket as five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo.
WHAT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD SAID ABOUT MANE
Alexander-Arnold was speaking on , brought to you by , and said of an African star that also shone for Southampton while in English football: “Sadio Mane is the one player that I played with that I’ve always thought, I’m thankful that I didn’t have to play against him. He was the perfect attacker, he had everything. As an athlete, he was similar to Cristiano Ronaldo – he had the jump, was fast, could finish both feet, and was a threat at all times.”
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Mane is now a team-mate of Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League. He moved to the Middle East in 2023 – after seeing a switch to Bayern Munich from Liverpool last just one season – and has plundered 15 goals alongside CR7 in the current campaign.