Liverpool forward Sadio Mane believes Jurgen Klopp's Reds have the players capable of winning an unprecedented quadruple.
The Senegal international was named man of the match in the FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester City, not only for his two goals in the game but for an all-round performance which was one of his best for the club.
Victory kept alive the dream of winning all four trophies this season, with the League Cup already secured, an FA Cup final appearance booked, a Champions League last-four tie against Villarreal to come and only a one-point deficit to make up on Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League title race.
“I think it would be early to talk about winning four trophies, but for sure I think we have to fight for it because we have the team to fight for it and we will do everything possible to go for it,” said Mane.
Following a couple of 2-2 draws in the league, Klopp’s side finally got the better of their rivals after a pulsating first half at Wembley blew away their opponents, who were 3-0 down at the break.
City eventually pulled it back to 3-2 but left it too late to force an equaliser.
However, the manner of their comeback and their continued excellence in the Premier League means Mane believes they remain the team to beat.
“We knew it would be a very tough game because Man City, if I don’t say the best team in the world then for sure they are one of the best and we have to respect them,” he added.
“Of course City are the best team in the world. Liverpool want to be the best team in the world, so we are working for it.
Man City v Liverpool player ratings
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MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Zack Steffen 2 - The American made a gruesome error that put the game out of City’s reach at 2-0. He also should have done better at the near post for Liverpool’s third. PA -
Joao Cancelo 5 - The Portuguese was nowhere near his top form. Diaz kept him occupied and he was unable to get forward in the way he did in last week’s league game. AP -
John Stones 6 - The 27-year-old was solid during the periods when his team-mates were being over-run. He will think twice about passing the ball back to Steffan in future, though the goalkeeper's error was not his fault. EPA -
Nathan Ake 6 - The 27-year-old could not compete with a charging Konate for the opening goal. He managed Salah reasonably well. AFP -
Oleksandr Zinchenko 5 - The Ukrainian seemed to be on top of Salah until he attempted to head a shin-high ball and gave the striker a late chance. His passing was poor. AP -
Fernandinho 5 - The Brazilian could not cope with Thiago and Keita. At 36, he is now a step too slow against opposition like Liverpool. AP -
Bernardo Silva 6 - The Portuguese sat too deep to make the impact City needed. When he did get forward, he scored the stoppage-time goal that gave his side a chance. AFP -
Jack Grealish 5 - The 26-year-old took his goal well but drifted out of the game for long periods. It was a disappointing display and he was unable to generate any momentum. AP -
Gabriel Jesus 4 - The Brazilian was shrugged off by Konate too easily before the first goal. He missed a golden chance to make it 3-2 with 20 minutes to go and was replaced by Mahrez 13 minutes later. AP -
Phil Foden 4 - The 21-year-old was missing in action. When he did get on the ball, he was crowded out and marginalised. AP -
Raheem Sterling 4 - The former Liverpool man had a deeply disappointing day. He barely threatened his former club. EPA -
SUB: Riyad Mahrez 6 - The Algerian replaced Jesus with seven minutes to go. He got past Robertson and crossed to Silva, whose goal made the scoreline look respectable. EPA -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker 7 - The Brazilian took a number of chances when passing out from the back but got away with them. His save from Jesus late in the game was crucial to the victory. EPA -
Trent Alexander-Arnold 7 - The 23-year-old played a huge part in blunting City’s attack by keeping Foden on a tight rein. He still looked to get forward and was involved in the third goal. EPA -
Ibrahima Konate 8 - A strong performance by the Frenchman, who thumped another header into the net. He sometimes looks clumsy but his pace and composure surprised City. EPA -
Virgil van Dijk 6 - The Dutchman was not quite himself and wasted possession. His organisational skills were valuable, though, and he was vocal throughout. PA -
Andrew Robertson 6 - The Scot gave the ball away before City’s opening goal and he lost Mahrez for their second. On the plus side, his tackling was sharp and he worked the line effectively. AP -
Fabinho 7 - The Brazilian helped to control the midfield in the first half and ensured City’s build-up was interrupted after the break. A solid effort. PA -
Thiago Alcantara 8 - The 31-year-old was up for the battle and snapped into challenges. His chipped pass to Mane for the third goal was the finest example of his classy passing. He was replaced by Jones with three minutes to go. AP -
Naby Keita 8 - The Guinean’s mobility was crucial in the midfield and his pressing meant City could not settle. He worked hard until he was withdrawn for Henderson in the 73rd minute. EPA -
Mohamed Salah 6 - The Egyptian laboured in the Wembley sun but his mere presence unnerved the defence. He desperately needs a goal and nearly got one after a Zinchenko error. PA -
Sadio Mane 9 - The defining moment of the game came when the Senegalese harried Steffan and humiliated the goalkeeper by scoring. His second goal was a splendid volley. He left the pitch for Jota with five minutes to go to rapturous applause. PA -
Luis Diaz 8 - The Colombian kept Cancelo busy and showed off his close control and intelligent running. City were relieved when he went off with five minutes to go and was replaced by Firmino. AP -
SUBS: Jordan Henderson 6 - The 31-year-old came on for Keita in the 73rd minute to help close down the game. He was steady, even during the frantic final moments. PA -
Diogo Jota 6 - The Portuguese was introduced at Mane’s expense with five minutes to go. He responded to the challenge by putting pressure on the defenders. PA -
Roberto Firmino 6 - The Brazilian replaced Diaz with five minutes left. His fresh legs provided an injection of energy. Action Images -
Curtis Jones 6 - The 21-year-old joined the action with three minutes left in place of Thiago. He immediately hunted out possession and ran at the defence. AP
“We will see if we are going to be the best team or not, but we will go for it.”
Mane was brilliant throughout, his high-energy pressing game forcing a mistake from goalkeeper Zack Steffen as he was tackled in possession with the ball being forced over the line for Liverpool’s second, only for industry to be replaced by craft as Mane’s wonderous sliced volley beat the American at his near post.
Klopp has seen many good performances from the 30-year-old, but he particularly liked this one.
“He played an incredible game, an absolutely incredible game. He was the first player to start the press, so it was intense for him as well,” he said.
“The first goal he scored, I love it. But I don’t like too much that the goalie will get some criticism for it.
“These kind of things happen. If you want to play football, that can happen, but the acceleration of Sadio, the desire to get there, it was really great."
