Liverpool's Sadio Mane vows to continue challenging goalkeepers

Liverpool superstar says he will not stop trying to score goals, despite being sent off during defeat to Manchester City.

Liverpool's Sadio Mane, second fro left, is sent off by referee Jon Moss Action. Lee Smith / Reuters

Sadio Mane has vowed to carry on challenging goalkeepers, despite the shock of his sending off against Manchester City on Saturday.

The Liverpool winger said he was surprised to be dismissed when he caught Ederson with a high boot as he looked to nick the ball past the goalkeeper and level the scoring.

Mane begins a three-match on Saturday when Liverpool face Burnley but the Senegalese is adamant he will risk a red card again, rather than backing out of similar challenges.

Watch Mane's challenge here

“I think in the next time I will get the ball before him,” Mane said. “I was going for the ball. I don’t have intention to hurt him because I am not that kind of player so I wish him a quick recovery. I made contact and it was not what I wanted to do so I apologised to him.”

Ederson was stretchered off and required eight stitches, though he made a swift return to action in City's 4-0 win over Feyenoord on Wednesday.

And at the time, Mane was more concerned about the Brazilian's well-being than the prospect of punishment from referee Jon Moss, only to discover that he was being sent off as Liverpool, 1-0 down at the time, went on to lose 5-0.

Also read:

Richard Jolly's team of week: City pair included for part in Liverpool demolition

Steve Luckings' predictions: Wins for Chelsea and Manchester teams

“I was focusing more on the goalkeeper than the card so when I saw the red card I was surprised because I was expecting maybe a yellow card,” he added. “I will accept it and try to forget.”

Besides Burnley’s visit to Anfield, Mane will miss Carabao Cup and Premier League matches against Leicester City.

“It is not easy for me because. I would love to be on the pitch all the time and help my team but I will also accept and try and be ready for my comeback,” he said. “We also have a great team and great qualities and I think the boys can do it.”

His ban means that Mane and Philippe Coutinho, arguably Liverpool’s two best players, will have only been on the pitch together for eight minutes against Sevilla until the trip to Spartak Moscow on September 26.

The Brazilian midfielder made his first appearance of the campaign as a substitute in Wednesday's 2-2 draw after Liverpool rejected three bids from Barcelona for him.

He was received rapturously by the Anfield crowd and Mane said: “He is one of the best players so we welcome him back.”

Captain Jordan Henderson added: “Hopefully he can have a big impact now he is back.”

Centre-back Joel Matip, who was outstanding against Sevilla, said Liverpool have to tighten up defensively after they dropped two points.

“The two goals don’t look too good,” he said. “We have to do it better next time. They used their chances. Sometimes one or two goals have to be enough to win a game.”

Henderson was particularly annoyed by the manner of Joaquin Correa’s equaliser, explaining: “It was quick throw-in the second goal and it’s very disappointing because we keep going on about that. To concede from that situation, it’s very disappointing and we need to learn because in the Champions League you’ll get punished.”