Some seasons ago, Liverpool can not be named among the English Premier League clubs who had splendid African players heavily relied on. There was a time when former Nigerian international Jay Jay Okocha helped Bolton from relegation and eventually became the club’s captain.
When former Arsenal star Kanu Nwanko was at Portsmouth, he was so relied on to win games. Togolese star Emmanuel Adebayor was once influential at Arsenal, and the duo of Micheal Essien and Didier Drogba were once important in the Chelsea squad.
Things seem to have changed at Liverpool though with Senegalese star Sadio Mane in the club. The 24-year-old joined the club from Southampton FC for around £35 million last summer. He has been so impressive in Klopp’s team that Ray Wilkins thinks the Senegal international dealt Liverpool’s title chances a decisive blow.
He has, in 25 top-flight appearances for Liverpool, scored 12 goals and has provided six assists.
Liverpool boss Klopp had to do without the star striker for much of January as he was on international duties at the African Cup of Nations in Gabon.
And Ray, like many others, thinks Liverpool’s failure to deal with Sadio’s absence dashed their title hopes.
He told Sky Sports that losing Sadio Mane to the Africa Cup of Nations absolutely slaughtered Liverpool because the player been an absolute breath of fresh air, and Liverpool do not have other reliable players to compensate for his absence.
Liverpool are currently sitting fourth in the premier league table and are five points above Arsenal.
