Sadio Mane: It's my celebration and it's here to stay!
Roberto Firmino might claim it originally belonged to him, but Sadio Mane has no intention of giving up his new-look celebration this season.
The Senegal forward debuted the move after striking in the UEFA Super Cup victory over Chelsea in Istanbul last month.
The subsequent post on his official Instagram account drew a tongue-in-cheek response from Firmino, who wrote: ‘Sadio, don’t copy me please.’
However, Mane has confirmed his intentions to stick with the celebration throughout the season.
He told Complex: “Each player in this squad, if you want to keep this celebration as your own it’s quite difficult because we score quite a lot!
“Bobby did that celebration two or three years ago, and I think he has had quite a few celebrations since.
“My celebration now is what I’m going to carry on doing throughout the year.
“I know that Bobby will be copying me again soon, you’ll see!”
It’s not just goal celebrations Mane is looking for more of this season.
After Liverpool’s success in the Champions League last term, the No.10 is eager for a repeat of the scenes in the aftermath of the victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid.
“It was a special moment for me, and for my teammates,” said Mane. “When I was younger, I grew up watching Champions League – especially the finals.
“So it was always a dream to play in the final. After scoring in it the season before but losing, going on to win it is an incredible feeling. I could not believe it!
“When we came back to Liverpool with the trophy, it was just incredible to discover how much it meant to the people here. The mood of the city was just crazy!
“Winning it and seeing how much it meant has given us all more motivation this season to perform, and win more trophies for this club.”