Jurgen Klopp tips Sadio Mane to become regular Ballon d'Or contender
Jürgen Klopp has tipped Sadio Mané to become a regular Ballon d’Or contender after he elevated himself into esteemed company alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi suggested Mané deserved to finish higher than fourth in the race to be Europe’s player of the year, with Klopp seeing that as a sign of the growing appreciation of the African’s talents.
Mané is certainly a leading contender to be the Premier League player of the year based on the first half of the season.
Asked if Mané is still underrated, Klopp said: “Internally, of course not. Across the world? I am not sure.
“The first three in the Ballon d’Or were Messi, Van Dijk, Cristiano and then Sadio. That is a nice row. Having two players in there shows a lot. Mo was fifth, Alisson seventh. So we obviously played a good season and they had to respect that.
“Sadio is in incredible shape. Since his first day he was an incredibly important player. I remember his goal against Arsenal, running down the line, cutting inside and then with the next step with the left foot in the far corner.
“That was an incredible goal and I can still remember that with all the other goals he scored. Each year he has made big steps and he is on a good way. I saw that [Franco] Baresi was really positive about Virgil - one of the biggest defenders I can imagine. This is kind of like being crowned by the king, and as an offensive player if Messi says something like this about Sadio then …
“Sadio especially in the game against Barcelona was really impressive. It was like we had three of him on the pitch and he kept that shape. If he stays healthy he will have an incredible career in front of him and he can climb that table Ballon d’Or wise. He is in a very good way and I am really happy for him.”
Liverpool head to Bournemouth on Saturday with on-loan Harry Wilson ineligible for the hosts. Klopp insists the Welsh youngster has a future at Anfield.
"Of course, that's why we loaned him so he can make the steps,” said Klopp. “All the players we sent on loan have the chance to make it in the first team otherwise we would have sold them.
"His shooting is world class. Find me five players who shoot better than him. To get to the next level, he needs game-time at the highest level and that is why we loaned him to Bournemouth.”
Klopp confirmed teenager Rhian Brewster may be next to be allowed to leave on loan.
"If he had not been injured, he would have already been on a different level but that is the situation,” said Klopp.
“If we do it then it 100 per cent needs to be the right club. No decision is made yet.”
Part of the consideration is there needs to be a replacement. "Yes, we have to see. We can't just give the boys on loan because we have built this squad.”
Liverpool intend to fly four of their World Club Cup squad, including Brewster, to Qatar after the Carabao Cup tie with Aston Villa, despite their inclusion in the Fifa list.
