Mane flourishes at Liverpool

I had met the agency’s head of sport, Nick Meakin in Johannesburg in 2014, when at the time, my first football love in the UK, Liverpool was enjoying a purple patch, threatening to end a then 24-year wait for the Premier League title.  It is history that the title chase, like many others I have keenly followed, turned up nothing but disappointment. But that is beside the point, Meakin offered me an exclusive opportunity to interview a player who is fast becoming a vital cop in manager, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Since the arrival of Klopp a year ago, Liverpool appear re-energised and have started the new season with a flourish.

One player who arrived during the off-season, Sadio Mane has been key to his side’s upsurge in fortunes.