OPINION
If a Liverpool fan could have written the script for their Champions League final clash with Tottenham, there’s a fairly high chance that they would have had their team scoring a penalty in the second minute. Thanks to the quick thinking of Sadio Mane, that’s exactly what happened. The Senegalese winger picked the ball up just inside the Spurs box while most fans were still catching their breath from kick-off and proceeded to drive it straight at the arm of Moussa Sissoko. In some ways, you have to feel sorry for the Frenchman. Ordinarily, a ball struck from that proximity would never have been a penalty, and while it did strike his chest first, the fact that he had his arm outstretched at shoulder height made it a no brainer for the referee. It was naive from Sissoko, but it was brilliant vision from Mane, who looked as if he did mean it. That moment aside, his pace in behind was a constant worry for Kieran Trippier in the first half, and time and time again he liked to have the beating of his full-back. After the season he has had, it’s hardly a surprise to see him turn it on on the biggest of stages.
This is Futbol have gathered some of the best tweets below:
https://twitter.com/Tomisiin/status/1134898391585083392?s=20
Mane!!!!! That was devilish #LFC ????????
— TakutiJesu (@Bollybryan) June 1, 2019
Mané is so dangerous
— Jonte LFC (@jontelfc86) June 1, 2019
Mané is so relaxed, #LFC
— Marco ????? @vivastpauli.bsky.social (@vivast_pauli) June 1, 2019
Dream start – build mane a statue @LFC
— Jersey Todd ? (@JerseyTodd) June 1, 2019
Mane totally did that on purpose. He saw that arm out, and he aimed the ball right at it. Amazing skills and awareness. #UCLfinal #YNWA
— Endie (@EndiePosts) June 1, 2019
Incredibly high level thinking by Mane. #YNWA
— Dr. Hobby, the rizz god (@LaMikePrime19) June 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/mantho_moj/status/1134905364879695872?s=20