Thread by @neiljonesgoal

It's the end of an era today, with Sadio Mane completing his move to Bayern Munich 🥺

And as he's been one of my favourite players to watch and report on down the years, I thought I'd use this thread to share some of my best memories of him at Liverpool...

#LFC 🔴

There were a lot of questions asked when Liverpool paid £30m+ for Mane in 2016.

Was it too much? Could he deliver? Could they have signed X, Y and Z instead?

Then he did this on his debut...

Case closed.

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The Goodison derby, December 2016, was not one of my favourites. I was that cramped in the press box that I had to swap roles with @Kristian_Walsh as I could hardly type. I was fuming.

And it was a goalless draw with nothing to write about anyway. Typical.

And then...

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I was at the game this day. Lucky me.

Trouble was, the game was Middlesbrough 0-0 Everton.

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For 2017-18, Liverpool added Mo Salah to Mane and Roberto Firmino. That was good of them.

Together, those three would score 338 goals over the next five seasons.

This was one of their most devastating nights...

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January 2018.

'Can he pick the right option this time? You better believe it!'

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For me, the goal which best encapsulates Sadio Mane.

Speed, subtlety, movement, touch, two footedness, invention, and delivered on the big stage...

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Ben Foster walked through the mixed zone after this game and just laughed.

'Yeah, we got Mane-d...'

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You could never say it, not really, but I knew Liverpool would win the league this day. I think we all did.

@Simon_Hughes__ definitely did. He had the Christmas tunes on in the car on the way home.

It was November 2 😂

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"Mane, he is a special talent. Sometimes he is diving..."

Pep Guardiola. Spot on.

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Touch, spin, buried.

What a player.

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In December 2020, Mane promised Liverpool fan Lee 'King of the Dingle' Swan that he would honour his grandfather with a special goal celebration the next time he scored.

He kept his word.

Here, he explains why... 🤗

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One of the best let-offs I've ever heard or witnessed in a football stadium.

And a hell of a goal to produce it, too...

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Mane officially recorded 38 assists at Liverpool. His one for Salah vs Manchester United is the best, for me.

This is my favourite, though...

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Twice, I was lucky enough to present Mane with an award for placing in the GOAL 50 list 😎

And I'll be honest, I was made up when I saw the 2019 memento in the background on this Instagram picture 😁

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@Carra23 says Mane is his favourite player, and I can understand why...🏃

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So farewell Sadio Mane. A brilliant footballer, top-class person and one of the best signings Liverpool ever made.

A winner, and an absolute hero, for club and for country.

Good luck in Munich.

#LFC 🔴