Sadio Mane 'very happy' at Liverpool amid speculation about future at Anfield

Senegal star's contract expires at the end of next season and he has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Bayern Munich

Liverpool striker Sadio Mane celebrates scoring the winner in the 2-1 Premier League victory at Aston Villa. AFP

Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane (L) celebrates scoring the team's second goal with Liverpool's English midfielder Jordan Henderson (C) and Liverpool's Portuguese striker Diogo Jota during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on May 10, 2022. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz celebrates scoring the first goal of the game with teammate Philippe Coutinho. PA

Douglas Luiz celebrates. PA

Douglas Luiz and the Villa team after the third minute opener. Getty

Liverpool's Joel Matip levels the scores at 1-1. Getty

Joel Matip celebrates with teammates. Action Images

Jurgen Klopp looks under pressure on the sidelines. Action Images

Sadio Mane celebrates scoring the winner. AFP

Sadio Mane celebrates. AP

Senegal star Sadio Mane said he is enjoying every moment at Liverpool amid speculation about his future and links with future moves to Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Mane underlined his value to Jurgen Klopp's team again on Tuesday as he kept their quadruple hopes alive with the decisive goal in a frantic comeback win at Aston Villa.

The forward's 22nd goal of the season earned the Reds a 2-1 victory and moved them level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

The 30-year-old's contract expires at the end of next season. Sorting out Mane's future is a key task for manager Klopp, who also has to contend with contract negotiations with the other star in the team - Mohamed Salah.

Asked by Sky Sports whether he had ever been happier at Liverpool, Mane said: "Yeah, sure, when we won the trophies I think I was more happy.

"But I think I just try to enjoy every moment and try to score and assist for my teammates. I think it is all about the team or nothing, the boys make it easier for me so I am obviously very happy."

Villa 1-2 Liverpool ratings

Mane's header in the 65th minute from a Luis Diaz cross once again showed his ability in front of goal.

"He's a machine, I told him after the game. He is a massive player. His physicality is brutal. He is a mix of technique, desire and physicality when at the moment everyone has a few yards in the legs," Klopp told Sky Sports.

"You can see it with him to be honest. Top goal, he is just a fantastic world-class player."

It is going to be a hectic few weeks for Liverpool. As they keep one eye on the last stretch of the Premier League, they also have to prepare for the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday where they will be hoping to replicate their League Cup triumph in February.

Klopp urged Liverpool to block out City's results and focus on their job.

"We don't waste energy thinking hopefully they [Man City] lose," Klopp said.

"Now we have to really recover and to play the FA Cup final because there is no mercy. The situation, qualifying for the finals, is massive.

"Their quality and mentality and character is the reason why we are where we are. I'm not surprised they can do something like this but I don't take it for granted.

"We had an outstanding and incredible mentality. We needed time to find our way into the game and our opponent was there in the beginning, really aggressive."