PLUCKY DIP

Mane admits: I had a drop in form last season... it happens... but now I’m much more ready... physically and mentally

SADIO MANE has warned the rest of the Premier League he is ready to get back to his best this season after a summer of rest.

The Liverpool forward still managed 16 goals in all competitions last term.

But it was the first time he dipped under

20 in a campaign since his debut season at Anfield.

Mane said:

“It was not my best season, which I know.

“It can happen in football but I think it won’t be the same next season.

“I am more ready – mentally, physically, everything – so I think it will be an exciting season for myself.”

This summer is the first where Mane has not had tournament football, an injury to recover from or a shortened break like last summer.

In April of the 2016-17 season, during which he played at the Africa Cup of Nations, Mane underwent knee surgery so spent time in rehab while others were on holiday.

The Senegal ace played at the 2018 World Cup and at the Africa Cup of Nations in the summer of 2019.

Last summer, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 201920 season did not finish until July and the 2020-21 campaign began again in late August.

“I think it’s always important as a player to have a break because I can say since I came to Liverpool this was the first time I have had four weeks or more holidays, so I think that sometimes helps a lot,” he said.

“I could see from day one that everybody was looking sharp, which for me was unbelievable. I am not complaining about having one week or two weeks’ holiday, but I think it’s always extra helpful for us to have this long period.

“At the same time we have been working in individual training, which is also important because you could see from day one everybody was looking sharp and ready to go for the new season.

“Everybody, and myself for sure, feels more ready. I always say tiredness is here, in the head, and obviously, you have to be mentally strong to cope with it.

“But at the same time I think resting is the best thing.

“I think now we have all rested properly so this is another advantage for us.

“We are looking to be ready for the season now.”

Mane is also delighted to see Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip back in full training with the squad out in

Austria ahead of the new campaign

after injury. He added: “I think to have everybody back in the team is just incredible.

“I think you can always see the smiles of the boys and say: ‘Wow, what a season it’s going to be for us again’.”