Sadio Mane wants to stay at Liverpool ‘forever’ despite persistent Real Madrid links

Sadio Mane has expressed his desire to spend the rest of his career at Liverpool despite persistent links with Real Madrid.

The winger has been key to Liverpool’s transformation into one of Europe’s very best sides under Jurgen Klopp, playing a vital role as the Merseysiders won the Champions League last season.

Could Mane leave Liverpool for Real Madrid? Five things to know…

• Mane has emerged as one of the best forwards in Europe in recent years.
• As a result, he has been linked with Real Madrid on a number of occasions.
• “I really struggle to describe how happy I am to be here!” Mane said in September.
• And the 27-year-old has now said he wants to spend the rest of his career at Liverpool.
• Mane has scored 35 goals in all competitions since the beginning of last season.

Alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, Mane has helped to form one of the most fearsome attacking tridents in football – the trio scored 69 goals between them in all competitions last term.

Inevitably, Mane – who was responsible for 26 of those goals and has already scored nine times this season – has been linked with Real Madrid as a result of his performances.

But the Senegal international insists he is happy at Liverpool.

“I am very happy to be part of this great club and I enjoy it,” he told TV2.

“Hopefully, I stay here forever.”

Mane joined Liverpool from Southampton in the summer of 2016 and his current contract does not expire until the end of the 2022/23 season.

Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.

“Firmino is the most shy footballer I’ve met”

Mane’s on-pitch relationship with his fellow forwards was tested in August when he appeared to react angrily after Salah opted against passing to him in a good position against Burnley.

But generally, Liverpool’s front three has worked in near-perfect harmony since clicking into gear, and Mane says he is “lucky” to be part of the attacking unit.

“It’s easy to work with them,” he added. “Personally, I feel lucky to get to play with them. They are really good players and make everything easier.”

Asked what Salah and Firmino are like off the pitch, Mane said: “Wow. Mo is fun sometimes. He is a cool and nice guy. Bobby is very shy. He is the most shy football player I have ever met, but very nice.”