Jamie Carragher is optimistic about the season ahead of Liverpool forward Sadio Mane following a disappointing 2020/21 campaign.
With just a couple of weeks before the start of the new Premier League season, experts have already started chiming in with their predictions about the new campaign. For Jamie Carragher, he is optimistic about the 2020 champion Liverpool’s chances, backing Sadio Mane in particular while urging the club to make some activity in the transfer market, reports Liverpool Echo.
A UEFA Champions League winner with Liverpool in 2005, Carragher is renowned for his unflinching support for his former club. He has echoed similar optimism for the Reds in the upcoming campaign when speaking to a recent interview.
Liverpool, though, are coming on the back of a disastrous title defence campaign that saw them getting completely outclassed by Manchester City. The Merseyside giants did manage to secure Champions League football at the end, but a majority of their players brutally underperformed, especially in the attacking department.
As such, Carragher has urged Liverpool to make new moves in the market. In fact, he has voiced his concern over the statement signings of the other Premier League giants, stating: “I think in terms of numbers it’s not a problem, I think it is in terms of quality.
“If we didn’t bring in another addition it may be difficult to knock Man City off the top, and let’s not forget Chelsea, the European champions, and Manchester United, who have had a great window with (Raphael) Varane and (Jadon) Sancho. I’d like to see someone who could get goals, whether that’s from midfield or part of the front three.”
However, among the current crop of attackers one player Carragher thinks can step up is Sadio Mane. During the interview, the defender expressed that he is “expecting a big season from (Sadio) Mane.”
“He didn’t have his best season but he’s looking really sharp in pre-season, hopefully, he can be the guy who can plug that gap in terms of goals,” Carragher added.
Mane’s shoddy league form was indeed a hot topic at Anfield last season, with the forward netting only 11 goals in 35 outings. His inconsistent performances were a vital reason behind Liverpool’s downfall, but the Senegalese international will be hopeful of his chances in the upcoming season.
He has looked quite impressive in pre-season, as expressed by Carragher himself. And it will be interesting to see whether the former Southampton star can live up to the expectations of the Liverpool legend next season.
