Liverpool have a chance of going all the way in this season’s Champions League after one man’s return to top form had Rio Ferdinand and fellow pundit Peter Crouch beaming.
The Reds comfortably beat Atletico Madrid 2-0 at Anfield to ensure their progress as group winners with two games to spare. Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane scored the goals, which were both assisted by Trent Alexander-Arnold.A red card to Felipe did not help Atletico, who were ultimately well beaten by Jurgen Klopp’s side.
With a perfect record from their four games, many will be dreaming of another Champions League success under Klopp. And the Reds manager did little to play down expectations after admitting his pride in his players.
While Mohamed Salah has taken much of the credit this season, a return to form for Mane alongside him has gone quietly unnoticed. Indeed, the Senegalese forward looks now back to his best after a shaky campaign last time around
Mane was one of those to see yellow for Liverpool and the visitors began to target him, which forced Klopp to protect him by withdrawing him at half-time.
The manager did not like making that decision, but believed it was necessary.
Klopp continued: “The referee was [in control] but I really hate the moment when I had to take off Sadio Mane. You could see that every challenge in the air, you don’t know what could happen. I didn’t like it but in the end, you have to do it.
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