Sadio Mane’s return to fitness provides a psychological boost that could prove ominous to Liverpool’s remaining rivals, Joe Gomez has warned.
Senegal forward Mane climbed off the bench to deliver a fine winning goal as Premier League champions-elect Liverpool ground past Norwich 1-0 in testing conditions at Carrow Road.
The Reds notched their 17th successive top-flight victory in Norfolk, fending off Storm Dennis as much as the spirited Canaries.
That ball from Hendo 🤤That touch and finish from Mane 😍— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 15, 2020
Mane overcame a minor knock to return to action and could now start Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid, with defender Gomez singing the dangerous striker’s returning impact.
“What a player he is; he gives you a boost of confidence when he’s coming on and psychologically for another team it’s not nice,” said Gomez.
“He’s massive and he’s popped up for us in so many moments this year and done it yet again.
“All the different ways and different forms of goals, it shows his quality and we were lucky to have him come off the bench but obviously that was due to his injury.”
Liverpool are racing towards a first top-flight title since 1990, while the Reds remain in the hunt to retain their Champions League crown and also chasing FA Cup glory.
With the World Club Cup already in the bag, Jurgen Klopp’s side could yet sweep all before them – and Gomez admits now is the time to capitalise on the most robust of ground work.
“We’ve had the winter break and now it’s down the home stretch,” Gomez told Liverpool’s official club website.
“We know how important this run of games is as it’s an intense period of the season and it’s crunch time really.
“It’s the most important part and you just build the foundation from the start of the season to this period here.
“We are blessed to have the squad that we do and everyone will have to play their part to get us over the line.
“The weather was difficult, obviously the wind isn’t pleasant when jumping for balls in the air and so on, but both teams had the same thing.
“They had it in that direction in the first half and we had it in different ways in the second.
“It’s just part and parcel. Obviously it’s not comfortable at times and you can misjudge things but it’s part of the game and we both had to deal with it.”
Basement club Norwich were left to lament slipping closer to a Premier League exit, with boss Daniel Farke admitting Lukas Rupp’s failed one-on-one with Alisson was pivotal.
Rupp tried to roll in Teemu Pukki when he had a chance to shoot himself, leaving manager Farke conceding that no side can afford to squander such chances against the imperious Reds.
💬 “We created several situations. To be one-on-one with the goalkeeper against Liverpool, it must be a goal when you want to win any points against them."— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) February 16, 2020
“We’re disappointed because it was a great performance,” said Farke.
“We were so good in so many ways but not the one that counted the most as you have to be unbelievably clinical.
“To be one-on-one with the goalkeeper against Liverpool, it must be a goal if you want to gain any points against them.”
