Jurgen Klopp never had any doubt that Sadio Mane was “an outstanding player”, but claims to have had to convince the Liverpool forward of that fact.
The Reds invested £34 million ($44m) in the Senegal international back in 2016 after seeing him star in the Premier League for Southampton.
Mane has taken his game to even greater heights at Anfield, netting 40 times in 87 appearances while forming part of a fearsome attacking unit alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
Editors' Picks
There have been testing times for the 26-year-old as well, but Klopp is delighted with the impact made on Merseyside by a versatile performer who did not always believe in his own ability.