Liverpool have one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals following their 5-0 demolition of Porto on Wednesday night.
Jurgen Klopp’s side blitzed the Portuguese outfit in their own backyard, with Sadio Mane bagging a hat-trick and the other two goals coming either side of half-time from Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
It was a remarkable performance from the Merseysiders, who were playing their first Champions League knockout match for nine years.
While every member of the Liverpool team performed well, it was the display of Mane in particular that must have delighted Klopp and the Reds’ supporters.
The 25-year-old has been out of form in recent weeks and endured a difficult opening 20 minutes at the Estádio Do Dragão; however, once he scored the opening goal, his confidence suddenly came flooding back.
Mane went on to complete his hat-trick in the second half; his third goal a rocket from 20 yards.
“Sadio [Mane] does his job and does a great job for the team,” James Milner said after the match. “People see his flair and the goals that he scores but he does a great job working for the team.”
MANE MADE LIVERPOOL FANS LAUGH AFTER FIRMINO’S GOAL
The Senegal international, who deservedly secured the Man of the Match award, also made Liverpool fans laugh while Firmino was celebrating his goal.
Firmino celebrated with an acrobatic double kung-fu kick and viewers noticed that Mane, in the background, copied his teammate.
Watch it here…
Only Firmino would try and pull off that celebration! And Mane, copying it behind him… 😂 pic.twitter.com/g5k8nctdYj
— LFC Globe (@LFCGlobe) February 14, 2018
Copying Firmino’s machine gun celebration against Swansea to copying Firmino karate kick in the background.
The real Sadio Mane is back! Never change 😂 pic.twitter.com/TaTy8CBK8U
— Sam (@VintageSalah) February 14, 2018
Only Firmino would try and pull off that celebration! And Mane, copying it behind him… 😂 pic.twitter.com/g5k8nctdYj
— LFC Globe (@LFCGlobe) February 14, 2018
LIVERPOOL FANS ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
This isn’t the first time that Mane has copied a teammate’s celebration. He’s done it on several occasions since joining Liverpool from Southampton in 2016 and it always amuses supporters.
They all loved it on this occasion…
MANE COPYING FIRMINO'S CELEBRATION 😂😂😂😂😂
— JustLFC (@JustLFC_) February 14, 2018
Sadio Mane copying Firmino’s kicking celebration might be the greatest thing I’ve ever seen
— Nate (@NateGuildea) February 14, 2018
Mane doing the Firmino celebration was the highlight of our Euro campaign so far
— AG x (@adam17ghidouche) February 14, 2018
I think Mane's best contribution tonight was imitating Firmino's kung-fu kick celebration!!! The guy is hilarious! And definitely super humble! #LFC
— Saransh Gehlot (@saransh2703) February 14, 2018
Mane copying Firmino’s celebration in the background is everything i needed
— The Redmen (@LiamLFCButler) February 14, 2018
4-0. However the best thing about that goal was Mane copying Firmino’s celebration in the background with a look of pure joy on his face
— Ü (@ThoseScouseLads) February 14, 2018
It’s great to see Mane playing well and smiling again, isn’t it?