According to the Mirror, Liverpool could offer Sadio Mane a new bumper long-term contract. Despite not having the best of seasons, Mane has so far contributed 12 goals and 7 assists in 28 games in all competitions to date. His goal tally is just one short of what he scored last season.

He also was on fire in the Champions League last week and netted a hat-trick as we went on to demolish FC Porto 5-0 to virtually book our place in the last eight of Europe’s premier club competition. Mane is a good attacker who has won us games and it will be a good move if we offer him a new deal.

He has three years left on his current deal and there is no doubt that if we do not take action soon, the player could attract attention from other European heavyweights and be tempted to leave the club.

The prospect of earning higher wages at other clubs is something that will appeal to the players and after losing Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona last month, we really have to work hard to ensure that we do not lose any of our other stars.

Since arriving from Southampton from Southampton, Mane has proven his worth and there is no doubt that his value would have risen, particularly following his hat-trick against Porto.

Mane currently earns £80,000-a-week which is modest for a player who plays for an elite club and when he receives a new contract offer, it is likely that the current package will be almost doubled, with him becoming one of the club’s highest earners.

We are currently 3rd in the table but just 4 points separate us from Manchester United who are in 2nd. If we are to stand a chance of competing for major trophies next season, it is vital that we manage to keep hold of our major stars. Therefore it makes perfect sense to offer Mane a new deal.