13th Sep 2019 | Premier League
The Mane Man of Anfield?
We recently witnessed a lovers' spat between Mane and Salah, and that's because there's competition for the title of being the Kop's biggest crush in 2019-20. The winner could even win the Player of the Year Award.
It’s surprising to note that no Manchester City player has won the PFA Player of the Year award since Vincent Kompany in 2011-12, with Liverpool claiming the winner in each of the past two seasons despite City taking the title.
After just 4 matches it’s already really hard to see this season’s award going anywhere other than the Etihad or Anfield because it’s so hard for this prize to go to an individual in an unsuccessful side.
The bookies clearly feel this way too with City and Liverpool players dominating favouritism but the value lies with the European champions rather than the English champions again. De Bruyne and Sterling are worthy short price contenders but Sadio Mane must be due a look at best odds of 18/1 with WilliamHill - especially with Salah at 10/1.
The Senegalese was joint Golden Boot winner with the Egyptian and Aubameyang last term and that was despite the former Southampton player being off penalties. Mane was therefore the most prolific from open play as he started to find the net more with his head to add to his many assets.
Mane started to look like the new talisman as Liverpool kept City honest till the final day of the season while Salah endured a goal drought at a key part of the season.
None of that matters now, but it could be indicative of a trend whereby Mane becomes the Reds’ defining talisman in 2019-20. In that context he is worth a punt while his price is much bigger than his likely rivals.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 08:49 13th Sep, 2019 but subject to change