Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has admitted to having 'the worst season of my career' and was so concerned about his form he even underwent medical tests to check nothing was physically wrong.
A quick glance at the Senegal international's numbers highlights how difficult a campaign it has been: only 13 goals all season, just nine in 32 Premier League matches with his header in the 2-0 win against Southampton at the weekend only his third league goal at Anfield.
Mane's joint-worst goalscoring season in the top flight saw him get 10 in his first season in English football with Saints in 2014-15 and also his maiden campaign with Liverpool in 2016-17 but on both occasions he made fewer appearances than he currently has.
After two goals in three games Liverpool will hope he can continue that run as they seek to win their final four fixtures in an attempt to sneak into the top four and the player is remaining philosophical.
"This is the worst season of my career. I have to admit it," he told French television channel Canal+. "If you ask me what is wrong I will struggle to give you an answer. Personally, I don't know.
"I have always tried to be positive, whether things are going well or badly. I question myself all the time.
"I even underwent a test to take a look at my body. Am I eating the right foods, or has everything changed? But they checked the test results, and everything is fine.
"I need to understand that in life there are ups and downs. I will keep on working hard and perhaps in time this situation will pass."
By contrast, Mane's team-mate Mohamed Salah has maintained his consistency as remains in the hunt for a third Golden Boot in four years.
The Egypt international has netted 20 Premier League goals, one behind leader Harry Kane, and is on course for his second-best goalscoring campaign behind his record-breaking 32 in 36 matches in his first year at Liverpool in 2017-18.
Salah, who has scored 29 in all competitions, is set to make his 200th appearance for the club in Thursday's trip to Manchester United where he will look to add to the 123 he has scored in his time at Anfield.
Liverpool 2 Southampton 0: player ratings
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LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 8. The Brazilian made a number of important saves, most notably from Adams and Redmond moments before the opening goal. The goalkeeper’s misplaced pass late in the game might have proved costly but he made amends by smothering Adams’ shot. AFP -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6. The 22-year-old was calm on the ball and his passing and crossing were effective. He was less assured defensively. AFP -
Nathaniel Phillips - 6. The 24-year-old was tested by Tella and Adams but defended stoutly. He sent a header wide from a first-half corner when he might have done better. Reuters -
Rhys Williams - 6. Strong in the air and in the tackle. The 20-year-old found himself in some difficult situations but managed to stay in control. He improved as the game went on. AFP -
Andrew Robertson - 6. The Scot was penned back for periods but was always eager to get forward. He looked less tired than in recent games. EPA -
Fabinho - 8. The Brazilian set the tempo in midfield. He moved the ball on quickly, broke up opposition attacks and kept a watchful eye on the defence. EPA -
Georginio Wijnaldum - 6. The Dutchman hit the top of the bar and policed the midfield energetically. He faded a little as the game went on. Reuters -
Thiago Alcantara - 7.The 30-year-old will be buoyed by his first goal for the club. He was deployed in an advanced position but had to drop deep in search of the ball. AFP -
Mohamed Salah - 7. The Egyptian was a constant threat. He worried the defence, worked Forster and provided the cross for the opening goal. Replaced by Oxlade-Chamberlain with three minutes left. Reuters -
Diogo Jota - 6. The Portuguese buzzed around the area and forced Forster to save in each half. He gave the ball away too often and was substituted for Firmino in the 79th minute. AFP -
Sadio Mane - 7. The Senegalese was sharp against his former club and was rewarded with the opening goal. He seems to have recaptured some form. Withdrawn in stoppage time to give Jones an outing. EPA -
SUB: Roberto Firmino – 7. A fine cameo by the Brazilian. After joining the game for Jota with 11 minutes to go, he held up the ball and helped create Thiago’s goal. AFP -
SUB: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 5. Sent on in place of Salah with three minutes remaining, the Englishman had little chance to influence the action. AFP -
SUB: Curtis Jones – 5. Given a run-out in stoppage time for Mane. The 20-year-old will be hoping for more minutes on the pitch. Reuters -
SOUTHAMPTON RATINGS: Fraser Forster - 6. The 33-year-old made a number of good stops to keep Liverpool out. Perhaps he could have come for Salah’s cross for the opening goal. EPA -
Kyle Walker-Peters - 5. The 23-year-old was outmuscled by Mane for the opening goal. He needed to be stronger defensively but he did cause Liverpool problems going forward. AFP -
Jan Bednarek - 4. The Pole has been out of sorts for a while and he was no better at Anfield. He was particularly uncertain in the early stages. AFP -
Jannik Vestergaard - 7. The Dane was powerful in the air and commanded the defence. He produced plenty of blocks and tackles and stopped one dangerous effort from Wijnaldum. AFP -
Jack Stephens - 5. The 27-year-old endured a difficult evening against Salah. He was vulnerable to diagonal balls into his area of the pitch. Reuters -
James Ward-Prowse - 6. The Englishman was quick to sniff out dangerous situations and cut out the threat. His passing was clever and should have had better reward. AFP -
Stuart Armstrong - 4. The Scot had a poor first half and gave the ball away too often. He improved after the break and was less wasteful. AFP -
Theo Walcott - 3. The former Everton forward had little impact on the game. He drifted wide and found it hard to get on the ball. Replaced by Diallo with 24 minutes to go. AFP -
Nathan Tella - 5. The 21-year-old’s movement was good and he found space in the Liverpool area. Unfortunately he could not make the best of his chances and headed straight at Alisson. Taken off in the 66th minute for Obafemi. Reuters -
Nathan Redmond - 6. The 27-year-old had some joy running at the defence. His final ball mostly went astray, except for the chance wasted by Tella. EPA -
Che Adams - 4. The 24-year-old missed two excellent chances. His attempt to score when presented with the ball by Alisson late in the game was tame. Withdrawn for Djenepo with 11 minutes left. Reuters -
SUB: Michael Obafemi – 6. The Irishman was brought on for Tella in the 66th minute to provide an injection of pace. He stretched the defence and set up a chance for Diallo. AFP -
SUB: Ibrahima Diallo – 5. The Frenchman replaced Walcott with 24 minutes left and was much more productive. He shot straight at Alisson when in a good position. AFP -
SUB: Moussa Djenepo – 5. Joined the action in place of Adams with 11 minutes to go as Southampton chased the game. This was the sixth different position he has played and he struggled to find rhythm. EPA
"For me, bigger than the achievement of all these decisive goals so far is his everyday presence in our club: his character is special, a true example," assistant manager Pep Lijnders told liverpoolfc.com.
"This club has the capability to turn good players into legends and he is one more of them."
Since arriving in the summer of 2017 Salah has missed just seven of 148 Premier League matches, with one of those due to him isolating with Covid in November, and another of Jurgen Klopp's assistants Peter Krawietz has paid tribute to his professionalism and consistency.
"It always can happen that a striker or an offensive player has an outstanding season and he scores 30 or 35 or 40 goals, but doing this year by year and being at the same time successful with your team, winning trophies, reaching targets and objectives – this is what makes an outstanding player and this is what Mo, of course, did in the last four years," said the assistant manager.
"A lot of players who are quick are getting tired quicker or earlier in the game, or they can't make the same amount of high-intensity runs.
"Not getting injured if you are a player like that, and having the endurance at the same time, this is an outstanding talent Mo has got.
"He is really a role model, especially for the young players. If they see him, how hard he is working in the gym, what he is doing around – it is really exceptional."
