By Daily Sports on September 5, 2021

Senegalese star Sadio Mane says having Virgil van Dijk back in the Liverpool FC team is amazing in the current English Premier League season.

The Netherlands captain had a difficult 12 months after he sustained an injury last October following a clash with Jordan Pickford in the Merseyside derby against Everton FC.

Mane is over the moon to have the 30-year-old playing alongside him once again and he lauded Van Dijk as one of the best defenders in the world.

“Having one of the best defenders in the world back on your team, you don’t need to describe it – it’s amazing,” Mane told the club’s official website.

“Last year was obviously a tough time for him but now he’s always smiling! And, of course, we are all happy for him.

“He is a very professional athlete who looks after his body all the time and I wasn’t surprised to see him straight back into his old form.”

Van Dijk has started Liverpool’s first three Premier League matches this season as they recorded two wins and one draw – keeping two clean sheets in the process.

“We have seen him play a few games now and, for me, we have seen him at that level already,” the 29-year-old forward continued.

“Obviously it was a big blow for us missing not only Virgil but also Joel [Matip] and Joe Gomez last year. If you have these kind of players in your team and you’re missing them.

“Then for sure you will feel it. I think any club in this world would feel the same.”

“Now we are really happy to have them back and it’s been a good start to the season with these names on the backs of the shirts behind me,” he said.

“But we should also remember that the young lads like Nat [Phillips] and Rhys [Williams] who came in to deputise for these players last season did a great job too.”

Mane has played three league games this term for Liverpool and netted one goal which has been nominated for Premier League Goal of the Month for August 2021. (African Football)

•PHOTO: Saido Mane 

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 5, 2021

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