‘He’s been consistently brilliant’: Robbie Fowler hails Sadio Mane and believes he should be Player of the Year contender alongside Raheem Sterling and Virgil van Dijk after starring for Liverpool in win at Porto
- Robbie Fowler backed Sadio Mane to gain Player of the Year recognition
- The Senegalese striker struck the first goal in Liverpool’s victory over Porto
- Club progressed to the Champions League semi-finals with 6-1 aggregate win
Robbie Fowler believes Sadio Mane is under-appreciated and should be in Player of the Year discussions after leading Liverpool into the Champions League semi-finals with victory over Porto.
Mane opened the scoring before Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk netted to earn a 6-1 aggregate win at the Estadio do Dragao, with Eder Militao registering the only consolation for the hosts.
Kop legend Fowler believes Mane’s influence on the team is potentially greater than Salah’s, and that he has been a standout performer all season.
Sadio Mane starred for Liverpool as they beat Porto to reach Champions League semi-finals
Fowler told BT Sport: ‘He was good last year but everything went under the radar with Mohamed Salah. I can’t believe no one’s mentioned him in the same breath as Sterling and Van Dijk for Player of the Year. He’s been consistently brilliant.’
Fellow ex-Anfield goal-getter Michael Owen backed up that view, singling Mane out for his consistency over the course of the season.
Owen said: ‘People were saying Liverpool were wobbling and he was the one who came to the fore, especially against Bayern Munich.’
Robbie Fowler hailed the impact of the Senegalese forward on the English side this season
Mane’s opening goal was initially ruled out for offside, before the decision was referred to VAR and he was in fact proved to be onside.
Fowler added: ‘He’s been absolutely brilliant this year. Every time Liverpool look dangerous it’s because of this man.
‘When you watch it with the naked eye he looks miles offside, but you see with the VAR and he’s clearly on.’