Sadio Mane sees no reason why Liverpool cannot make another bid for European glory this season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side stormed to the Champions League final in Kiev back in May, only for a shoulder injury suffered by talisman Mohamed Salah to hinder them in a 3-1 defeat against Real Madrid.
Mane was on target during the second half to briefly pull the Premier League team level and, ahead of Thursday’s draw for the group stage, the Senegal international feels last season’s experience can only be beneficial.
“It was a very big sign for us. It was a bonus for us to learn and get those kinds of experiences,” he told Liverpool’s official website.
“It’s very early to speak about it but it’s why we’re always here working: to do anything possible.
“We have the quality and everything to go throughout [the tournament], so why not? Why not?”
Portuguese giants Benfica have a superior UEFA coefficient to the Reds and would be placed among the second seeds if they beat their Greek opponents.
That would put Liverpool in pot three but a PAOK victory – the tie is locked at 1-1 after the first leg in Portugal – would see Klopp’s men take up a place in pot two.
Mané represented Senegal at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and scored a goal in each of the nation’s opening two games, 2–0 wins against Tunisia and Zimbabwe.After a goalless draw in the quarter-final clash against Cameroon, he missed in the penalty shootout as Senegal were eliminated.
In May 2018, he was named in Senegal’s 23 man-squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He scored the opening goal in a 2–2 draw against Japan in the group stag
