Crouch pinpoints Mane moment that typifies Liverpool star’s recent struggles

Peter Crouch has highlighted a moment from Liverpool's frustrating 1-1 draw against Newcastle on Saturday which he believes sums up Sadio Mane's recent woes in front of goal.

The Senegalese forward has been struggling for form of late, and was guilty of missing a number of good chances to kill off the Magpies before Joe Willock's dramatic late equaliser for the visitors at Anfield.

Crouch thinks the 29-year-old is lacking confidence, and writing in his column for the Daily Mail he pinpointed one particular squandered opportunity which left him frustrated with Mane.

"One thing jumped out at me on Saturday, when I was watching the game," Crouch said. "It was the moment Mohamed Salah got through in the first half and teed it up for Mane to finish.

"The Mane of last year or the year before doesn't think twice and he puts his foot through it. When he took a touch, however, I knew that was it.

"His confidence has deserted him and it's the same for (Roberto) Firmino. I watch Firmino play and I see a beautiful footballer, whose flicks and positional play are outstanding but when he takes a shot, I expect it to roll on the floor to the goalkeeper."

Crouch is not of the opinion that either Mane or Firmino should be sold in the summer, but he does believe they will have a point to prove when the next season starts.

He added: "It's important to stress that these two players command so much respect and I am not in the business of saying they should be sold.

"I was asked about moving them on by a reader last week and I found it disrespectful to say, after all they have done, that they should be sold.

"I'm prepared to give both of them some grace this season because things have been so strange. Liverpool need the season to end, their players need to be re-energised and I wouldn't write them off.

"At the same time, they really do have something to prove in August."

Source: Read Full Article