Sadio Mane matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent record for goals in the Champions League knockout stages during Liverpool’s 3-1 quarter-final first leg victory against Benfica.
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 13 Champions League goals in the knockout stages since the 2017-18 season.
As well as levelling the knockout tally of the Manchester United forward, the Senegalese ace also surpassed the tally of former Barcelona and current Paris Saint-Germain striker Lionel Messi. Mane became the joint record holder after finishing off a wonderful team move in Jurgen Klopp ’s side’s 3-1 away victory over Benfica in the quarter finals first-leg.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s raking 50-yard pass found summer signing Luis Diaz beautifully, and the former Porto ace nodded the ball back across goal for Mane to tap in. As well as doubling the 2019 Champions League winners’ lead, it also meant the African Cup of Nations champion’s goal tally is worthy of being spoken in the same breath as Messi and Ronaldo.
However, the former Southampton ace’s focus would not dwindle from Liverpool’s task at hand, as he emphasised the Reds’ focus on the second leg at Anfield. “Like I always say, winning is more important,” Mane said to BT Sports after the game.
“I am happy to score the goal but more happy that the team scored three goals and we are ready for the next game.”
When asked about the possibility of Klopp altering Liverpool’s side ahead of their trip to Manchester City, Mane also replied: “You’ll have to ask the boss!
“We are Liverpool, we have a deep squad. Sometimes we make changes to benefit the whole team. “It’s a great start. We can’t expect any better than that. Now we prepare for the next game.”
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