Sadio Mane 'very happy' at Liverpool amid speculation about future at Anfield

Senegal star's contract expires at the end of next season and he has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Bayern Munich

Liverpool striker Sadio Mane celebrates scoring the winner in the 2-1 Premier League victory at Aston Villa. AFP

Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane (L) celebrates scoring the team's second goal with Liverpool's English midfielder Jordan Henderson (C) and Liverpool's Portuguese striker Diogo Jota during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on May 10, 2022. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz celebrates scoring the first goal of the game with teammate Philippe Coutinho. PA

Douglas Luiz celebrates. PA

Douglas Luiz and the Villa team after the third minute opener. Getty

Liverpool's Joel Matip levels the scores at 1-1. Getty

Joel Matip celebrates with teammates. Action Images

Jurgen Klopp looks under pressure on the sidelines. Action Images

Sadio Mane celebrates scoring the winner. AFP

Sadio Mane celebrates. AP

Senegal star Sadio Mane said he is enjoying every moment at Liverpool amid speculation about his future and links with future moves to Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Mane underlined his value to Jurgen Klopp's team again on Tuesday as he kept their quadruple hopes alive with the decisive goal in a frantic comeback win at Aston Villa.

The forward's 22nd goal of the season earned the Reds a 2-1 victory and moved them level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

The 30-year-old's contract expires at the end of next season. Sorting out Mane's future is a key task for manager Klopp, who also has to contend with contract negotiations with the other star in the team - Mohamed Salah.

Asked by Sky Sports whether he had ever been happier at Liverpool, Mane said: "Yeah, sure, when we won the trophies I think I was more happy.

"But I think I just try to enjoy every moment and try to score and assist for my teammates. I think it is all about the team or nothing, the boys make it easier for me so I am obviously very happy."

Villa 1-2 Liverpool ratings

ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Emiliano Martinez – 6. The Argentine was unfortunate that his block before the equaliser fell to Matip. He was quick off his line to stop Liverpool attacks but could do nothing for the winning goal. Getty

Matty Cash – 6. The 24-year-old did good work going forward and sent in some testing crosses. He defended well but might have chased back harder to cut out Diaz’s options before the cross for the winning goal. AP

Ezri Konsa – 5. The 24-year-old lacked composure at times and was prone to making panicky fouls. He got in the way of shots, even if he seemed unsure about where the ball was heading. Getty

Tyrone Mings – 3. The 29-year-old made a hash of what should have been an easy clearance before the equaliser. He was outjumped by Mane and was relieved that the striker headed over the bar. Getty

Lucas Digne – 6. The Frenchman sent in the cross that led to Luiz’s opening goal. His attacking play was impressive but he was in no-man’s land when Mane scored the winner. Action Images

Douglas Luiz – 7. The Brazilian was at the heart of Villa’s best moves and scored the home side’s goal. His creative instincts worried the defence until he dropped into a deeper role after Nakamba went off. On the downside, his rather meek attempt at a clearance on the halfway line led to Liverpool’s second goal. PA

Marvelous Nakamba – 5. The Zimbabwean was making his first start since he was injured in the reverse fixture in December. He showed some good touches but at other times appeared rusty. He made way for Chukwuemeka in the 62nd minute. Getty

Philippe Coutinho – 4. The former Liverpool man’s highlight came in a move when he flicked the ball over Alexander-Arnold’s head and then curled a shot over Alisson’s bar. He needs to work on the less memorable but more effective parts of his game. Buendia came on for him with 20 minutes to go. Getty

John McGinn – 6. The Scot was not afraid to put his foot in but his passing was a bit scattergun. One cross to Ings offered the striker an opportunity that was wasted. Action Images

Ollie Watkins – 6. The striker put himself about and made sure the defence could not afford to get complacent. It took a last-ditch tackle by Tsimikas to deny him a scoring chance. Traore replaced him with nine minutes to go. AP

Danny Ings – 5. The former Liverpool striker headed over a McGinn cross and wasted another one-on-one opportunity because of poor control. When he did put the ball in the net, he was offside. Action Images

SUBS: Carney Chukwuemeka – 6. The 20-year-old replaced Nakamba in the 62nd minute. He was composed in possession and effective on the ball. PA

Emi Buendia – 5. The winger joined the action in the 70th minute for Coutinho and threw himself into the game. Not much came off for him and he headed over near the end. Action Images

Bertrand Traore – 5. The Burkina Faso forward came on for Watkins with nine minutes to go. He saw little of the ball. Getty Images

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 6. The Brazilian blocked Luiz’s header back into the danger area for Villa’s opener. He almost gifted Watkins a goal with a misplaced pass but did much better in a one-on-one with Ings and when the same player shot at the near post. Getty

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8. The 23-year-old made the most of the space afforded him by Digne and Coutinho. His crosses caused Villa to have bouts of panic. AFP

Joel Matip – 7. The 30-year-old got into a mess for Villa’s goal but made rapid amends by pouncing to equalise. He was calm and composed when under pressure. Reuters

Virgil van Dijk – 7. The Dutchman’s shot led to the equaliser and he was strong and determined defensively. Ings and Watkins tested his credentials but he emerged on top. PA

Kostas Tsimikas – 7. The Greek started badly and got tangled up for Villa’s goal but he grew in stature. His cross presented Mane with an excellent chance and his tackle on Watkins denied the striker an opportunity. Getty

Naby Keita – 6. The Guinean could have helped the defence more during Villa’s best spell and his miskick when unmarked in the area was pure comedy. He improved significantly in the second half. Action Images

Fabinho – 3. An early collision slowed down the Brazilian and he limped off after half an hour with a hamstring injury to be replaced by Henderson. AP

Curtis Jones – 5. The game largely bypassed the 21-year-old. He had one shot but it did not trouble the goalkeeper. Thiago replaced him in the 62nd minute. Getty

Luis Diaz – 7. The Colombian plugged away with little reward until he found himself in position to set up Mane’s winning goal. He made way for Salah with 18 minutes to go. PA

Sadio Mane – 8. After putting one header over the bar in the first half, the Senegalese was not going to make the same mistake in the second period. His winning goal capped a performance full of industry and vigour. AFP

Diogo Jota – 7. The Portuguese linked play superbly, as shown by his pass to Diaz in the build-up to Mane’s goal. He put in plenty of hard work. Reuters

SUBS: Jordan Henderson – 7. The 31-year-old joined the action earlier than expected when Fabinho limped off after half an hour. His composure, sharp tackling and control put the midfield in Liverpool’s grasp. Reuters

Thiago Alcantara – 7. The 31-year-old came on for Jones in the 62nd minute. His experience, coolness on the ball and passing ability ensured Villa could not seize the initiative. AFP

Mohamed Salah – 6. The Egyptian came on for Diaz with 18 minutes to go. He could have scored with his first touch but was unable to carve out a real scoring chance. AP

Mane's header in the 65th minute from a Luis Diaz cross once again showed his ability in front of goal.

"He's a machine, I told him after the game. He is a massive player. His physicality is brutal. He is a mix of technique, desire and physicality when at the moment everyone has a few yards in the legs," Klopp told Sky Sports.

"You can see it with him to be honest. Top goal, he is just a fantastic world-class player."

It is going to be a hectic few weeks for Liverpool. As they keep one eye on the last stretch of the Premier League, they also have to prepare for the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday where they will be hoping to replicate their League Cup triumph in February.

Klopp urged Liverpool to block out City's results and focus on their job.

"We don't waste energy thinking hopefully they [Man City] lose," Klopp said.

"Now we have to really recover and to play the FA Cup final because there is no mercy. The situation, qualifying for the finals, is massive.

"Their quality and mentality and character is the reason why we are where we are. I'm not surprised they can do something like this but I don't take it for granted.

"We had an outstanding and incredible mentality. We needed time to find our way into the game and our opponent was there in the beginning, really aggressive."