95% passing: ‘Phenomenal’ Liverpool star made another case for his position change

Add as preferred source on Google

Sadio Mané made another case for a position change at Liverpool with a fine performance against Brighton. The forward was nearly perfect.

Liverpool saw off Brighton 2-0 at Saturday lunchtime – it was about as routine a win as you can have in the Premier League. The Reds didn’t even really need to hit a high gear and the Amex crowd never got going.

In a lot of ways, that’s what Liverpool needed after losing to Inter during the week and with a big game against Arsenal up next. Not too much exertion and a confidence-builder.

There was a lot to like here, in fact, as Liverpool controlled the game. They actually had less of the ball than Brighton – a very rare occurrence – but kept the Seagulls in the right areas. When the Reds did have the ball, they used it very well.

That was largely down to Sadio Mané, who once again played the False 9 role here. And much like last week, he made a wonderful case for a position change.

Sadio Mané shines for Liverpool once again

Mané was excellent as a False 9 against West Ham. As we wrote last week, he was essentially complete in his performance – from buildup play to scoring.

This was a different one. Mané didn’t really threaten all that much as a forward, lacking any real chances and didn’t come all that close to scoring. Nor did he create any chances for teammates.

But if anything, that strengthens the argument that Mané should be a serious option as a False 9. He still played well here, just by doing all of the dirty work the role requires.

Mané was fantastic as a link player, for instance. He completed 95% of his passes, misplacing just one, and that provided a sensational base for Liverpool to build off of. No one for Liverpool completed a higher percentage.

He kept the ball wonderfully well, in fact. Mané attempted three dribbles, completing all three – again the most in Red. His 43 touches were more than any other forward or midfielder other than Jordan Henderson.

That’s what Liverpool need from Mané in the role. A player who drops deep, gets heavily involved, does all of the little things right and helps the team control games. Even without scoring, the Senegal star put in the right kind of display.

Roberto Firmino remains the best False 9 at Liverpool and, arguably, the world. But Mané feels like the best option when the Brazilian isn’t there. Diogo Jota is a wonderful centre-forward but as a goalscorer first and foremost. When Liverpool want control, the ‘phenomenal’ Mané should probably play through the middle.