Jurgen Klopp Praises 'World-Class' Forward After Liverpool's 2-0 Win In Champions League

Jurgen Klopp has heaped praise on Sadio Mane after the Senegal national scored in Liverpool FC's 2-0 win over Villarreal in the Champions League.

After a goalless first half, Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson broke the deadlock as his cross went past Villarreal keeper Geronimo Rulli. Later it was declared as an own goal as it got deflected by Villarreal defender Pervis Estupinan. Two minutes later, Mane doubled Liverpool's lead by scoring through Mohamed Salah's pass.

"He plays an outstanding season, Sadio is an outstanding player, I have nothing to do with the Ballon d'Or nomination and all these kind of things, I don't understand it really 100 percent. He is world-class and played again a really good game for us. I don't know exactly how you come to that question now, the season is not even over," Klopp said in the post-match press conference when he was asked about Mane's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or.

Klopp went on to say that the quality he loves about Mane is the forward's desire to keep helping Liverpool, who are chasing a historic quadruple.

"Historically you have to win something, I think, to win the Ballon d'Or most of the time. It was like this if you are not Messi or Ronaldo you have to win probably the Champions League, which we didn't do yet so give us a few more weeks, and then we will see where we end up. Sadio wants to contribute, Sadio wants to help the team and that's what I love most of all," added Klopp.

Liverpool have already won the League Cup, while they are very much alive in three other tournaments: Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup.

Mane's goal against Villarreal in Liverpool's Champions League semi-final first leg was his 14th goal in the tournament's knockout stages, equaling Didier Drogba's record as the African player with the most number of such goals in the competition's history, according to Opta Joe.

Meanwhile, Salah's assist for Mane was the seventh time the pair have combined for a goal in the Champions League, which is the joint-most for any English team in the competition. They equaled the record of Wayne Rooney-Ryan Giggs and Salah-Roberto Firmino.

Salah, who is in an exceptional form in the 2021-22 season, has already netted 30 goals in 44 competitive appearances for the Reds. Out of the 30 goals, eight have come in the Champions League. The Egyptian King has netted a total of 33 goals in the top European competition for Liverpool and is three goals behind both Drogba and Sergio Aguero's record of most goals netted in the Champions League for an English side, according to Goal.com.

The return leg of the semi-final between Liverpool and Villarreal is scheduled to take place on May 3 at El Madrigal Stadium.