LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 14, 2016: Liverpool's Sadio Mane during the FA Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

“I can do more” – Sadio Mane excited for future after being named Liverpool Player of the Month

Sadio Mane has expressed his gratitude after being named Liverpool’s Player of the Month for August.

Mane has made an instant impact since arriving on Merseyside from Southampton in June, living up to his £30 million price tag.

The 24-year-old scored a superb solo effort on his debut in Liverpool’s 4-3 win away to Arsenal, before producing excellent displays against Burton Albion in the League Cup and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

That his absence was so strongly felt in August’s 2-0 defeat to Burnley serves as further testimony to Mane’s importance, and this was recognised on Wednesday.

Mane received 77 percent of the supporters’ vote in a club poll for August’s Player of the Month, with Philippe Coutinho a distant second with 11 percent.

But while Mane has been the star of the show for Liverpool so far in 2016/17, he remains a humble figure, as he showed when he was given the award at Melwood.

“It means a lot. I have been working every day—every day in training and in the games—to give my best for the team,” he explained.

“We have a great team with many qualities. Now we have to work to make the fans happy.

“We’re going to take it game by game and try to win as many as we can.

“I want to thank everybody for this, especially the fans who voted for me, and I am very happy to win it.”

Liverpool's Sadio Mane celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal with Jurgen Klopp during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date August 14th, 2016 Pic David Klein/Sportimage via PA Images

Mane continued to stress the importance of a team effort under Jurgen Klopp this season, as well as thanking “my team-mates, the coach and staff,” for their support on his move from the south coast.

“They have tried to help me every day. I want to thank everybody for that.

“I don’t think I have had any problems, so I am happy to come in and integrate quickly.

“I am trying to do what I can, but I am convinced in myself that I can do more.

“That means training hard every day, concentration, taking pleasure on the pitch and by giving your best, always.”

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - Tuesday, August 23, 2016: Liverpool's Sadio Mane in action against Burton Albion during the Football League Cup 2nd Round match at the Pirelli Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

As he explained, Mane is hoping to maintain his high levels of form and even build on those, and this could come against Leicester City on Saturday evening.

The Reds welcome the Premier League champions to Liverpool for their first Anfield outing of the season, after extensive redevelopment work over the summer, and Mane has been passed fit to start.

The winger was brought off late on during Senegal’s 2-0 win over Namibia during the international break, but has since reported to training in peak condition.

With one award down, Mane can now set his sights on September’s accolade, though he will no doubt be focussed on results.



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