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Free video: Watch Mane's 20 goals so far this season
Sadio Mane reached the 20-goal mark for the second successive season on Sunday - and you can watch his 2018-19 haul so far in our free LFCTV GO video.
The Liverpool No.10 dispatched a crisp finish beyond Sergio Rico, having completed a one-two with Roberto Firmino, as the Reds saw off Fulham 2-1.
It was the latest contribution of an outstanding campaign for the Senegal forward, who is now level with Mohamed Salah in the LFC scoring chart.
Take a look at all 20 Mane has netted to date this season in the compilation above.
Free video: Watch Mane's 20 goals so far this season
Van Dijk: The goals will come for 'world-class' Salah
Virgil van Dijk feels it is only a matter of time before Mohamed Salah is back among the goals.
Sunday’s 2-1 victory at Fulham represented the seventh successive Liverpool game in which Salah has not scored but, despite that run, the forward’s record this season still reads an impressive 20 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions.
Such has been the Egyptian’s phenomenal impact since his arrival at Anfield in the summer of 2017, he stands on the brink of becoming the quickest player in the club’s history to reach 50 Premier League strikes.
Salah’s 49 in the top flight have come in only 67 appearances - five fewer than it took current record-holder Fernando Torres to hit his half-century.
Highlights: Fulham 1-2 Liverpool
And, speaking after the win at Craven Cottage that took the Reds back to the top of the Premier League, Van Dijk said his teammate’s recent lack of goals is no cause for concern.
“Mo is a world-class player,” the centre-back told Liverpoolfc.com.
“People can say all they want but I think all the teams in the Premier League would love to have him in their side. We have him and I think he is playing well.
“The goals will come. That’s something for a striker that is maybe going to be in your head but we tell him every time: you just need to keep working, keep going and you will be fine.
“He’s still scored plenty of goals for us, to be fair, so it’s not like two like me! It is like this.”
Van Dijk: The goals will come for 'world-class' Salah
Heskey: Liverpool have upper hand
Last Updated: 18/03/19 3:13pm
3:49
Liverpool have the upper hand in the title race but Manchester City have the benefit of experience, says Emile Heskey
Liverpool have the upper hand in the title race but Manchester City have the benefit of experience, says Emile Heskey
Emile Heskey says Liverpool have the upper hand over Manchester City in the Premier League title race, but says the defending champions have the advantage of experience on their side.
Liverpool went top of the Premier League on Sunday when they beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage, and are now two points ahead of Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
Liverpool and Manchester City have been neck and neck throughout the season, and with just seven games remaining for Jurgen Klopp's side and eight for City, Heskey says the Reds will be relieved to have left south west London with three points.
"A lot of teams are expecting Liverpool to go and score five or six goals, but Fulham are fighting for their lives as well," Heskey told Sky Sports News.
"I'm guessing they're already gone, but it's about pride; to play against Liverpool and to get a result would be good, especially for Scott Parker.
2:59 Highlights from Liverpool's 2-1 win against Fulham in the Premier League Highlights from Liverpool's 2-1 win against Fulham in the Premier League "Within football you have games where you're not going to be playing the best, but it's about winning ugly. This was one of those games."
Heskey says despite City's game in hand, Liverpool hold the advantage going into the international break.
"Psychologically it's very important," Heskey said of Liverpool's lead. "As you saw before, they were always having to chase Manchester City, they were always trying to stay ahead. Now they've got the upper hand.
"It's better to have the points in hand rather than having to go out there and fight for it.
"Manchester City have got to go into the next game knowing that they need to win that game, putting the pressure back on them and seeing how they fare with that pressure."
Manchester City went top of the table earlier this month when they beat Watford The former England international says some teams enjoy chasing the league leaders, and believes City are one of those teams.
"Manchester City seem to flourish in that sense - they have done, anyway," he added. "They've got players who really want to battle for that, but they have to still go out there and do it."
The 41-year-old says Pep Guardiola's side are familiar with the pressure of going for a title, having succeeded in their quest last season.
"You saw it with Manchester United the years when I was playing; year after year doing it, knowing what it takes when you get to a certain stage during the season, knowing what it takes to actually keep in there and keep pumping out those results."
Mane is Liverpool's key man now As Mohamed Salah's form has dipped, Sadio Mane has stepped up for Liverpool in the title run-in.
Liverpool, on the other hand, are chasing a title win that has eluded them for almost 30 years. Heskey says there is pressure on this Liverpool squad to deliver, but that it is no different from pressure felt elsewhere.
"There's going to be an expectation - there's an expectation when you're at all big clubs," said Heskey. "There's an expectation for all of them to actually go out there and be winning every week, and the players understand that; the players know that, the players are aware of that. That pressure brings the best out of you at times.
"It's a massive chance for them to be put down as legends. It's a great time for the club."
One of the stars for Liverpool last season was Mo Salah, who this season is struggling for the same goal-scoring form, and Heskey says the Egypt international is guilty of forcing things in his efforts.
Mohamed Salah is struggling to replicate his heroics from last season "He's still got 17 goals, so he's not having that bad a season but he's probably just trying a little bit too hard.
"He's looking at the season before when he was scoring all these goals, confidence was high, things were ricocheting then going in.
"He's not getting that luck now, but he still wants to get the goals and everyone is still looking at him as that go-to guy for the goals.
"There's times when he should be passing the ball but he's wanting to score himself. That is the danger.
"When you're going through that patch you need the balance. You need to know when to pass the ball, when to take the shot.
Sadio Mane has been in goal-scoring form for Liverpool this season "You've got to remember we were talking of him last season in the same vein as [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo, so he's probably got that in his head as well, so he wants to be scoring the goals like they are."
Sadio Mane continued his impressive showings for Klopp's side by scoring the opening goal against Fulham.
"It's a blessing for Liverpool isn't it, that they have someone of his stature - someone of his ability - to step in to the plate where Salah has failed to produce," said Heskey. "He's such a dynamic, quick player.
"If you look at the season before, he went through little spells where he was scoring three goals, four goals, but now he seems to be making it more consistent."
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Glatzel on Anfield win and goals: 'It's an unbelievable feeling'
Paul Glatzel reflected on an Anfield debut to savour after his double led Liverpool into the final of the FA Youth Cup.
Young Reds captain Glatzel scored twice in the opening 25 minutes of his maiden appearance at the first-team stadium to earn a 2-1 last-four win over Watford on Sunday.
A final against either Manchester City or West Bromwich Albion now awaits Glatzel and co, who are seeking to become the first Liverpool side since 2007 to lift the Youth Cup.
And the Liverpool-born striker, who has now scored 28 times in all competitions this season, spoke of the pride felt by Barry Lewtas’ squad following their victory.
Highlights: Glatzel's Anfeld brace sends LFC into final
“It’s an unbelievable feeling. We’ve come here trying to get to the next round and we wanted to put in a performance for ourselves that we can be proud of and I think we have done that,” Glatzel told Liverpoolfc.com.
“We played well and got the result, which is the main thing, and we have the Youth Cup final to look forward to.
“We have all looked forward to it [playing at Anfield] for a long time now. The day has come, and everybody has performed and that’s what we needed to do. We are all proud.”
On his match-winning brace at the Kop end, Glatzel continued: “It’s a great feeling. I mean, you dream of it.
“Obviously, it’s not quite what you dream of because it’s not quite full yet. But it was a great feeling to score in front of the Kop and to do it twice is a good feeling.
“But it’s all about the team and we got the win. We can look forward to the final now.”
Liverpool’s hopes of winning a treble of U18 Premier League North, the Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League were dashed by last week’s penalty shootout elimination to Dinamo Zagreb in the latter competition.
That defeat in Croatia, Glatzel explained, provided Lewtas’ players with an added incentive to overcome Watford.
“We want to do well in every competition,” he said.
“Obviously, we didn’t quite make it in the Youth League - going out on pens, which is disappointing - but the boys have bounced back.
“We had to go again, and we have. It’s a great feeling.”
Glatzel on Anfield win and goals: 'It's an unbelievable feeling'
Ref Watch: Maddison had to be booked
Last Updated: 18/03/19 3:29pm
Maddison (right) was yellow carded after scoring and then taking off his shirt to reveal a message
There was plenty for Dermot Gallagher to get stuck into from the weekend's Premier League and FA Cup games, with goal celebrations, controversy involving the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and red cards and penalties all on the agenda.
Read on to see what the former top-flight referee had to say on just a few of the big decisions from the last few days' action...
Burnley 1-2 Leicester
Maddison reveals the message after scoring at Turf Moor INCIDENT: James Maddison is booked after scoring and then taking off his shirt to reveal a message for Sophie Taylor, the five-year-old girl he supported throughout her battle with cancer.
DERMOT'S VERDICT: There are no winners in this situation.
DERMOT SAYS: It is for all kinds of reasons that that rule was brought in. What I would say is that there are no winners in this situation because Michael Oliver is duty bound to yellow card him. What I did think was really nice was you could see Michael, who has to apply the law, he might not like it, but he did take time to explain that to Maddison. And total respect to Maddison, who has come out publicly to say he is only doing his job.
Also, regarding tweets about Michael Oliver, he’s just doing his job and didn’t have a choice. He didn’t enjoy showing me a yellow and shared his condolences about the passing of Sophie which I thought was very respectful👍🏼
— James Maddison (@Madders10) March 16, 2019INCIDENT: Harry Maguire is shown a straight red after a last-man foul on Johann Berg Gudmundsson.
2:59 Highlights from Leicester's 2-1 win against Burnley in the Premier League Highlights from Leicester's 2-1 win against Burnley in the Premier League DERMOT'S VERDICT: Correct decision, sending-off.
DERMOT SAYS: The only decision to make here is, is it a foul? That is the only call you have to make and I think it is a foul. And on that basis, he [Michael Oliver] has got to send him off. It is unfortunate, but that is the law. He has a clear run on goal and he clips his heels and there is no doubt it is a foul.
Swansea 2-3 Man City
Swansea's players protest City's late winner INCIDENT: Sergio Aguero's scores a late winner against Swansea in the FA Cup despite being offside, but there was no VAR in use because FA rules this season state it is only used at games being held at Premier League stadiums.
DERMOT'S VERDICT: It was still a level playing field at the Liberty Stadium.
DERMOT SAYS: There are two issues. One, if you have that facility to use in Premier League grounds, they did and why would you not use something you have got. And secondly, the two grounds that did not use it, it is still a level playing field for the teams. It is not as if it is a league competition. It is a cup competition, so for the two sides on that day, it was still a level playing field and it was for Swansea and Man City. It was unfortunate how the decisions panned out, but nobody was to know that when they kicked off.
Everton 2-0 Chelsea
2:52 Highlights from Everton's 2-0 win against Chelsea in the Premier League Highlights from Everton's 2-0 win against Chelsea in the Premier League INCIDENT: Marcos Alonso trips Richarlison in the area.
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Correct decision, penalty.
DERMOT SAYS: He stands on his foot, takes him down and Anthony Taylor has a brilliant position. When you see it at normal speed, it is easier to tell it is a penalty.
Fulham 1-2 Liverpool
1:46 The Super Sunday panel discuss whether Liverpool should have been awarded a late penalty at Fulham for Sergio Rico's tug on Sadio Mane The Super Sunday panel discuss whether Liverpool should have been awarded a late penalty at Fulham for Sergio Rico's tug on Sadio Mane INCIDENT: Sergio Rico drops the ball and then pulls down Sadio Mane.
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Correct decision, penalty.
DERMOT SAYS: He has panicked and just pulled him down. The referee [Craig Pawson] has no choice but to give a penalty. If he had thought it through, Mane would not have got to the ball though. Once you wrap your arms around a player, you are duty bound to give a foul.
Leeds 0-1 Sheffield United
0:42 Casilla is dismissed against Sheff Utd Casilla is dismissed against Sheff Utd INCIDENT: Kiko Casilla is shown a red card in stoppage time for a professional foul on Billy Sharp.
DERMOT'S VERDICT: Correct decision, sending-off.
DERMOT SAYS: If you watch where the foul occurs, the full back would not have got across to prevent a goal, it is an obvious goalscoring opportunity that is being denied. So it would always be a red card as once Sharp is by the 'keeper, he can just roll the ball into an empty net.
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LFC 2-1 Watford: Watch Youth Cup highlights
Liverpool booked their place in the FA Youth Cup final after a 2-1 win over Watford in the semi-final at Anfield on Sunday - watch the highlights via LFCTV GO now.
Paul Glatzel had a debut to remember in front of the Kop as he netted twice to take his tally to 28 goals for the season in all competitions.
Barry Lewtas' side will now face either Manchester City or West Bromwich Albion in the final.
LFCTV GO subscribers can watch the best of the semi-final action above. Need to sign up? Click here to do so.
LFC 2-1 Watford: Watch Youth Cup highlights
In numbers: Sadio Mane's incredible Liverpool form
Sadio Mane continued his outstanding individual form with a 20th goal of the season in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Fulham.
The No.10 put Liverpool on course for three points with a clinical first-half strike, completing a one-two with Roberto Firmino and dispatching into the net.
In finding the target once again, Mane set a Premier League record, reached a Reds milestone and bolstered his chances of topping several scoring charts.
Here’s a closer look at his stunning recent run…
49 – per cent shooting accuracy in the Premier League this season, with 34 of his 69 efforts so far on target
40 – league goals for the Reds was the landmark Mane reached when he fired a finish beyond Sergio Rico at Craven Cottage
20 – goals is the No.10’s total this term to date, equal to his haul for the entirety of last season and level with Mohamed Salah as Liverpool’s top scorer in 2018-19
17 – Mane has set a new record for goals in a single Premier League season by a Senegalese player, with his 17th of the campaign on Sunday beating Demba Ba’s previous benchmark of 16 in 2011-12
11 – goals scored in his last 11 appearances for the Reds, including braces against Watford, Burnley and Bayern Munich
9 – Premier League goals scored by Mane in 2019 so far, a tally matched only by Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero
8 – times he has found the net when the score has been level in Premier League fixtures this season
7 – away goals in the European Cup/Champions League, following his double at the Allianz Arena, is a club record
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0.59 – goals per match is Sadio’s average in the Premier League this season (17 in 29 appearances)
In numbers: Sadio Mane's incredible Liverpool form
The media on Fulham 1-2 LFC: 'Mane's hot streak continues'
Liverpool went back on top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Fulham on Sunday.
After Sadio Mane's opener was cancelled out by ex-Red Ryan Babel, James Milner slotted home a penalty to give the visitors another vital victory.
Here is what the media made of the match...
James Pearce, Liverpool Echo
It just wouldn't be a Liverpool title challenge without some late drama at Craven Cottage. A decade ago it was Yossi Benayoun who sent the travelling Kop into raptures. Back in 2014, the abiding memory next to the banks of the River Thames was Steven Gerrard swirling his shirt above his head in delight after converting a last-gasp winner from the penalty spot. This time substitute Milner was the hero as the vice-captain was engulfed by his team-mates after slotting home the decisive spot-kick. Having been minutes away from a highly damaging setback, the Reds pulled it out of the fire. The powers of recovery Klopp has instilled in this team came to the fore once again. Shoulders didn't hunch, they dusted themselves off and went again. Their two-pronged assault on the two biggest prizes in club football remains on track.
Neil Jones, Goal.com
If Milner was the match-winner, it was another 'M' who lit up the gloomy West London sky. He's the most softly-spoken member of the Liverpool dressing room, but there's nothing quiet about Mane right now. The Senegal star is the Reds' form player, and his hot streak continued here. His first-half strike set Liverpool on their way, and it was he who won the penalty from which Milner struck the decisive blow. Mane's run of form, meanwhile, is well-timed. His goal here was his 20th of the campaign, matching his tally for the whole of last season, and his 17th in the league. He's now level with Salah on both counts. He has 11 in his last 11 appearances. Mane's magic was exactly what Liverpool needed.
David Lynch, Evening Standard
If ever there was any doubt, today proved it: there aren't many players in the Premier League as mentally strong as James Milner. How easy it would have been for the Reds vice-captain to retreat into his shell after teeing up a Fulham equaliser with his very first touch after coming on. But when the chance to win the game came just minutes later, Milner stepped up to pass the ball in and collect all three points for his side. It was the perfect way to make amends for his mistake and said everything about the Englishman's character.
Jonathan Liew, The Independent
Milner's penalty nine minutes from time set Liverpool back on course, and back on top. They may have played a game more than City, but keeping up the pressure is all they can do for now. If they keep winning - and with games against Tottenham and Chelsea coming up, that's naturally no guarantee - then City may be in the position of having to go to Old Trafford on Wednesday April 24 needing a win to get back on top. This isn't over, whatever anyone else may try and tell you. Once again, Liverpool had proven themselves a team for all seasons.
This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.
The media on Fulham 1-2 LFC: 'Mane's hot streak continues'
Liverpool open talks to sign Benfica star
Liverpool have made contact with Benfica over a potential world-record move for Francisco Reis Ferreira, according to reports in Portugal.
The 21-year-old centre-back, commonly known as Ferro, made his first-team debut for Benfica in a 10-0 thumping of Nacional last month and has been a mainstay in Bruno Lage’s team ever since.
Ferro is regarded as one of the most promising talents to emerge from Benfica’s youth system in a number of years and the club are aware of growing interest from around Europe for the defender.
Record suggests that Liverpool have been keen on Ferro for some time and Jurgen Klopp’s side have approached Benfica with a view to signing the promising Portugal U21 international.
However, the report claims that Liverpool’s advances for Ferro have been rejected by Benfica – just as they were two years ago.
Back in 2017, the Merseyside giants made an offer to take Ferro on loan with an option to buy the central defender for £10million.
Ferro signed a new deal with Benfica at the beginning of March and the club inserted a €100m (£85m) release clause in the defender’s contract.
The youngster is now tied to Benfica until the summer of 2023.
Source: Metro
This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.
Liverpool open talks to sign Benfica star
Liverpool have made contact with Benfica over a potential world-record move for Francisco Reis Ferreira, according to reports in Portugal.
The 21-year-old centre-back, commonly known as Ferro, made his first-team debut for Benfica in a 10-0 thumping of Nacional last month and has been a mainstay in Bruno Lage’s team ever since.
Ferro is regarded as one of the most promising talents to emerge from Benfica’s youth system in a number of years and the club are aware of growing interest from around Europe for the defender.
Record suggests that Liverpool have been keen on Ferro for some time and Jurgen Klopp’s side have approached Benfica with a view to signing the promising Portugal U21 international.
However, the report claims that Liverpool’s advances for Ferro have been rejected by Benfica – just as they were two years ago.
Back in 2017, the Merseyside giants made an offer to take Ferro on loan with an option to buy the central defender for £10million.
Ferro signed a new deal with Benfica at the beginning of March and the club inserted a €100m (£85m) release clause in the defender’s contract.
The youngster is now tied to Benfica until the summer of 2023.
Source: Metro
This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.
Liverpool open talks to sign Benfica star
'It was a fantastic day at Anfield, we were worthy winners'
Barry Lewtas declared himself a happy manager after seeing his Liverpool U18s side reach the FA Youth Cup final with a 2-1 victory over Watford at Anfield.
On a day when six of his team stepped out in front of the Kop for the first time, the young Reds were full value for their semi-final success.
Captain Paul Glatzel netted twice, taking his tally to eight goals in the competition this season so far, and despite the Hornets pulling a late goal back, the hosts held on for the win.
Read on for Lewtas' thoughts on his side's display and enjoying the Anfield experience…
On the overall performance…
I thought we played really well. We scored two goals and probably could have scored more. We made life a little bit hard for ourselves at the end, but I think it was a fair result. I thought we were well worthy of it.
On the amount of chances his side created during the 90 minutes…
That was down to good play. They are a good team. They have beaten some really good teams along the way. I thought some of our forward play, the way we passed it and the way we played, I thought we were excellent. That's probably the one criticism: that we didn't finish the game off at 2-0. But we are through and we have got a final to look forward to.
On his team enjoying their first taste of Anfield, with six playing in front of the Kop for the first time…
It was a fantastic day. We said in the last round, before it, that we were so excited to play here. Obviously, a big pitch, fantastic surface. We said we have got to back it up and I think we did the way we passed the ball - I thought we were excellent.
On the progress of his side this season and reaching the club's first FA Youth Cup final since 2009…
It's part of their development, to be in a final and everything that comes with a final: preparation, the game day, the game itself, dealing with what goes on after finals as well. It's another part of their development and we are really looking forward to it.
On the other semi-final, with Manchester City facing West Bromwich Albion…
Whoever we are going to play is going to be a good team. So, we are going to be up against a top team, good opposition, somewhere nice to play. We are excited to be there, but we will prepare properly for whoever we play, and we will be ready.
'It was a fantastic day at Anfield, we were worthy winners'
Robbo on 'massive week', crucial Milner and confident Mane
The reaction in the away end upon the full-time whistle at Fulham was felt just as strongly by Andy Robertson and his Liverpool teammates.
Its confirmation of three crucial Premier League points for the Reds came at the end of a week in which Jürgen Klopp’s side had not only strengthened their resolve in the title race but also eliminated Bayern Munich from the Champions League.
They had to dig deep to ensure a positive conclusion to the run of fixtures, however, after a defensive mix-up had allowed Ryan Babel to cancel out Sadio Mane’s clinical first-half breakthrough.
But Liverpool found a way; Mane was fouled inside the box on 80 minutes and substitute James Milner held his nerve to successfully lift a penalty into the middle of the goal for a 2-1 win.
“It was massive for us. It would have been a bit gutting had we not got the three points, if I’m honest,” Robertson told Liverpoolfc.com post-match at Craven Cottage.
“The first half, we dominated them and even in the second half we were very much in control up until the unexpected mistake.
“But these things happen and it’s all about how we bounce back and we had chances before that. Luckily, we got the penalty and Millie put it away.”
The left-back continued: “It gets to this point in the season where people are fighting for their lives from relegation and that’s so tough, and people are fighting for European spots and positions and trying to get in the top 10 and stuff.
“It’s very rare that teams aren’t playing for anything at this time of the season so people start fighting and giving it their all. Luckily, we had enough in the tank.
“[It was] a massive week for us. Obviously beating Burnley at home was difficult, as they are in a similar position to what Fulham are in, and we fell behind there.
“Bayern speaks for itself and then it was all about trying to get our legs ready and go again and go flying into the international break top of the league – and luckily enough we have done that.”
Milner, a second-half substitute, made a point of being honest about his role in the chain of events that led to Fulham levelling the score.
It was from the midfielder’s skewed clearance that Virgil van Dijk, pushed towards his own goal, subsequently sent a header short of Alisson Becker and Babel pounced to net.
But Milner made amends in the coolest way possible when he took responsibility of the decisive spot-kick for Liverpool and delicately chipped it straight in.
“[He is] the most experienced guy in our dressing room and he’s already got the trophy we are all fighting for because he’s already won it,” said Robertson.
“His experience is crucial for us and he practises them every day; when he steps up, he’s confident and put it down the middle and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way.
“Fair play to him, we all had belief in him and that was enough for us.”
Mane’s opening goal in the encounter, a stylish finish powered in after a one-two with Roberto Firmino, was the forward’s 11th strike in his last 11 games and 20th overall this season.
With seven Premier League fixtures remaining and more Champions League football to come next month, Robertson is hoping his teammate can maintain such outstanding form.
“He could have had a few more actually but the goal he scored just shows you how confident he is just now,” the No.26 said of Mane.
“He’s scoring for fun at the moment but long may that continue – that he keeps scoring and all of us can pitch in as well and we have a good run-in. We have seven games left now and we look forward to it.”
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