Sadio Mane reminds Liverpool of contract dilemma after banishing worst season nightmare

Sadio Mane did not make any excuses about how he rated the 2020-21 season on a personal level.

Amid Liverpool's meek Premier League title defence, the forward knew that his performances throughout had not been good enough.

“This is the worst season of my career. I have to admit it,” Mane told French television channel Canal+.

“If you ask me what is wrong I will struggle to give you an answer.

“Personally, I don’t know. I have always tried to be positive, whether things are going well or badly. I question myself all the time. I even underwent a test to take a look at my body. Am I eating the right foods, or has everything changed? But they checked the test results, and everything is fine.

“I need to understand that in life there are ups and downs. I will keep on working hard - and perhaps in time this situation will pass.”

Honest words

Candid words from Mane. And he was right.

The Senegal international finished the campaign with 16 goals and nine assists in 48 appearances, with Liverpool just scrapping into the Champions League places.

By goals scored alone, it wasn't his worst. After all, he only netted eight times during his maiden season at Anfield in 2016-17.

But having plundered 26 goals in the Champions League-winning term of 2018-19 and notching 22 times when Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions the following year, you could understand why Mane made such an admission.

Last summer, the former Southampton attacker's personal aim would have been to improve on his own tally.

Already in the league, he has done that. Mane's match-winner Liverpool's 1-0 defeat of West Ham United was his 12th top-flight finish for 2021-22.

It means he's bagged more goals in the Premier League than he did last term - with 11 matches remaining.

The former Southampton attacker is joint-second top scorer in the division's alongside team-mates Diogo Jota, with Mo Salah seven ahead.

Indeed, Mane will be satisfied with how this term has gone so far.

He's already won the Carabao Cup and is a key player in Jurgen Klopp's side who are chasing an unprecedented quadruple.

Let's not forget he spearheaded Senegal's African Cup of Nations triumph, either.

Contract conundrum

But the question still remains: will Mane be at Liverpool beyond the campaign?

There has been plenty made of Salah's uncertain future.

His contract expires in the summer of 2023 and Klopp's been asked on many occasions if the Reds' talisman will put pen to paper on fresh terms.

The impasse remains.

Yet Mane is in the same situation. It remains unclear if he will extend his stay, having arrived from Southampton for £34 million in 2016.

The signing of Luis Diaz in January shed some speculation on whether it spelt the end for Mane's Merseyside stay.

But, in truth, it couldn't be more contrasting. Liverpool have finally got the strength in depth up front that fans have yearned for.

They're truly equipped to challenge in every competition with Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi the other options.

Now the Reds have had a taste of what it's like to have a potent attacking force from the outset and the substitutes' bench, Klopp won't it ripped up. No way.

However, there still could be a dilemma when it comes to Mane's future.

His age may be a problem why Anfield talks have not progressed. He turns 30 in April and Salah is just two months younger.

Handing long-term deals, lucrative deals to both might be something FSG are unwilling to sanction.

If Mane's contract is still not resolved come the summer, the vultures will be circling.

It was only last month that Real Madrid and Barcelona were linked with the 29-year-old.

Surely, Liverpool wouldn't want to lose Mane for free.

Gini Wijnaldum might have been allowed to depart for nothing but Mane is a bona fide world-class player. And forwards always warrant more cash than midfielders. Especially of Mane’s ilk.

Even with a year left on his current contract, he’d fetch a pretty penny and has a present value of £72 million, per Transfermrkt.

Mane can officially say that he's enjoyed a better Premier League season than his forgettable one 12 months ago.

Yet if it is his last at Anfield still remains to be seen.