Sadio Mane backs Liverpool stars to fight for historic quadruple

Jurgen Klopp's side add FA Cup final to a season of success

Liverpool players celebrate after Ibrahima Konate scores the opening goal in the 3-2 FA Cup semi-final win against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on April 16. EPA

Konate heads the first goal. AP

Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen looks on as his error leads to Sadio Mane scoring Liverpool's second goal. PA

Liverpool's supporters clebrate after Sadio Mane's goal. AFP

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hugs Sadio Mane. EPA

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates. Getty

Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring Liverpool's third goal. AFP

Klopp celebrates with defender Trent Alexander-Arnold. EPA

City's Jack Grealish pulls a goal back. AP

Jack Grealish celebrates his goal. AP

Bernardo Silva scores City's second in time added on. Getty

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City's Pep Guardiola embrace at the end of the game. AFP

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane believes Jurgen Klopp's Reds have the players capable of winning an unprecedented quadruple.

The Senegal international was named man of the match in the FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester City, not only for his two goals in the game but for an all-round performance which was one of his best for the club.

Victory kept alive the dream of winning all four trophies this season, with the League Cup already secured, an FA Cup final appearance booked, a Champions League last-four tie against Villarreal to come and only a one-point deficit to make up on Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League title race.

“I think it would be early to talk about winning four trophies, but for sure I think we have to fight for it because we have the team to fight for it and we will do everything possible to go for it,” said Mane.

Following a couple of 2-2 draws in the league, Klopp’s side finally got the better of their rivals after a pulsating first half at Wembley blew away their opponents, who were 3-0 down at the break.

City eventually pulled it back to 3-2 but left it too late to force an equaliser.

However, the manner of their comeback and their continued excellence in the Premier League means Mane believes they remain the team to beat.

“We knew it would be a very tough game because Man City, if I don’t say the best team in the world then for sure they are one of the best and we have to respect them,” he added.

“Of course City are the best team in the world. Liverpool want to be the best team in the world, so we are working for it.

Man City v Liverpool player ratings

“We will see if we are going to be the best team or not, but we will go for it.”

Mane was brilliant throughout, his high-energy pressing game forcing a mistake from goalkeeper Zack Steffen as he was tackled in possession with the ball being forced over the line for Liverpool’s second, only for industry to be replaced by craft as Mane’s wonderous sliced volley beat the American at his near post.

Klopp has seen many good performances from the 30-year-old, but he particularly liked this one.

“He played an incredible game, an absolutely incredible game. He was the first player to start the press, so it was intense for him as well,” he said.

“The first goal he scored, I love it. But I don’t like too much that the goalie will get some criticism for it.

“These kind of things happen. If you want to play football, that can happen, but the acceleration of Sadio, the desire to get there, it was really great."