DBasia.news – Liverpool legend Jamie Redknapp says he believes Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is actually very afraid of the Reds winger, Sadio Mane.
Mane appeared heroically when Liverpool met with Aston Villa last weekend. He became the actor of the Reds 2-1 victory over the opponent at Villa Park on Saturday (11/02/2019).
He became the creator of Liverpool’s first goal. With his left foot, he gives a pass that can be completed with a header by Andrew Robertson. Mane then scored Liverpool’s second goal. He headed the Trent Alexander-Arnold corner kick.
After the match, Guardiola suddenly made a comment on Mane. He praised, but also quipped the former Southampton player likes to dive. This heated up the situation ahead of the meeting of the two teams at the weekend.
“Hearing Pep Guardiola calling Sadio Mane and diving was shocking. We are not used to hearing managers say that about their rival players, but I don’t think Guardiola is trying to make Mane fail to focus before Sunday’s battle at Anfield,” Redknapp at Soccerway.
“It was not an effort to mind games or deliberate criticism. I believe Guardiola is truly afraid of Mane’s threat. The Manchester City manager thinks about it. He knows the 27-year-old is now Liverpool’s most important player. He is Jurgen Klopp’s number 1 player, as proven last Saturday “
“In the 65th minute against Aston Villa, with 0-1 behind, Klopp pulled Mohamed Salah. It was a big decision, but it paid off. Mane makes sure that his head is pointing at the ball, even when Jonathan Kodjia is trying to get the ball first with his feet. It’s a big and brave goal,” Redknapp added.