Sadio Mane matched Cristiano Ronaldo's Champions League record with his goal against Benfica on Tuesday night.
The Senegal forward scored a tap-in, brilliantly set up by Luis Diaz, to give the Reds a 2-0 lead in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in Lisbon. Darwin Nunez handed the Portugal side a lifeline just after the break but Liverpool survived their scare as Luis Diaz restored their two-goal lead towards the end.
The Merseyside club are now in pole position to reach the semi-final as Mane emerged as one of the standout performers n the night. The winger is a renowned big-game player, highlighted recently for Senegal as he scored the winning penalty against Egypt to win AFCON, as well as sending his country to the World Cup with another crucial spot-kick, once again at the expense of Mohamed Salah and co.
And that narrative translates to club level too as his goal tonight was his 13th strike in the Champions League knockout stages since the 2017/18 season, a feat that is only matched by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking about his goal, he told BT Sport: "Like I always say, winning is more important. I am happy to score the goal but happier that the team scored three goals and we are ready for the next game."
Liverpool take on Manchester City in what could determine the outcome of the Premier League title race. Mane was included in the starting XI as Diogo Jota missed out while Luis Diaz returned to the side.
Asked what changes Klopp will make at the Etihad, he said: "You’ll have to ask the boss! We are Liverpool, we have a deep squad. Sometimes we make changes to benefit the whole team. Yeah, but it’s a great start. We can’t expect any better than that. Now we prepare for the next game."
Owen reckons Klopp was just rotating his squad and Jota will regain his place against City on Sunday. He said: "Well, Jota played the last game and I think Jota will play the next game, so he’s gone with Diaz tonight.
"It’s probably easy to let Jota miss out on tonight. Diaz didn’t play the last game, so you’ve got to give him a game. Mo Salah just plays all the games, he won’t be too happy if you drop him."
Owen reckons Salah will join Jota in the line-up at the Etihad and the final spot in Liverpool's front three is up for grabs between Roberto Firmino, Diaz and Mane. He added: "I think Mo Salah will play on Sunday too, and Jota looks like he’ll play too, so then it’s who will play in that third spot.
"This team is still really, really strong for tonight. Their opponents will be looking at the team sheet and thinking ‘oh no’. There are some real big hitters in that team."
