Why AFCON glory could spell the beginning of the end for Sadio Mane at Liverpool

In pictures: Liverpool v Cardiff

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Liverpool winger Sadio Mane is currently enjoying his newly-elevated status as a national hero in Senegal after helping the Lions of Teranga to win their maiden Africa Cup of Nations title earlier this month. The 29-year-old lashed home the winning penalty of the decisive shoot-out in Sunday’s final against Egypt to claim his first international trophy with the very last kick of the tournament.

Mane had the chance to hand Senegal an early lead when he stepped up to take a spot-kick inside the first 10 minutes of the match.

He saw his effort parried by Egypt goalkeeper Gabaski but managed to recover in time for the all-important shoot-out, making no mistake at the second time of asking to clinch the honours in style.

The former Southampton forward will now be tasked with strutting his stuff at club level for Liverpool as the Reds go in search of domestic and European silverware between now and the end of the season.

However, there is an argument to suggest that Mane’s latest triumph with Senegal could inadvertently mark a significant turning point in the trajectory of his Anfield career.

His starring role on the international stage could attract plenty of external suitors ahead of the summer transfer window, with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona said to be keeping a close eye on his situation.

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It could be tempting for Liverpool to cash in on Mane, who is now approaching the twilight years of his career, if a suitable offer is tabled at the end of the campaign.

He will be out of contract in the summer of 2023 as things stand, with the upcoming summer window potentially serving as the Merseyside club’s final opportunity to command a significant transfer fee for his services.

Liverpool are yet to make any concrete offers to keep hold of Mane, suggesting that club chiefs are already starting to consider the possibility of life without the Senegal marksman on their books.

The recent acquisition of Luis Diaz would also soften the blow of losing Mane to a European rival in the event of his departure.

Harvey Elliott is another with the potential to emerge as a key man for Liverpool over the coming years, meaning that Jurgen Klopp would not be forced to dip into the transfer market in order to find a suitable replacement.

Mane has also been criticised for a lack of consistency over the last two seasons after struggling at times throughout the previous campaign and failing to score a single Premier League goal in the month of December this time around.

A change of scenery could serve as an attractive proposition for the winger in order to avoid slipping entirely off the gas at Liverpool in the near future.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether his insatiable drive for success will begin to fade away after finally winning an international tournament with Senegal.

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Mane has lifted almost every major trophy available to him over the course of his career and was known to be hell-bent on adding the Africa Cup of Nations to his enviable list of honours as the final piece of the puzzle.

He recently declared that he would give up all of his previous titles in order to claim Africa’s greatest prize with his country, suggesting that the fire may not burn as brightly over the coming years after sealing the deal on Sunday.

“My people have waited a long time, I would trade it all to win this one,” he said in a recent New Balance advert.

Although Mane has largely been excellent for Liverpool since arriving at the club from Southampton back in 2016, it seems as though his future could potentially lie elsewhere in the wake of his maiden international triumph.

However, it would not be the end of the world for player or club if he ultimately leaves Anfield at some point before the expiry of his contract.

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