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“Gets recognized”- Micah Richards back Liverpool star to win the player of the season award

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By Surajit Das

Micah Richards back Liverpool star Sadio Mane to win the player of the season award

According to Liverpool Echo, Micah Richards believes Sadio Mane should be awarded PFA Player of the Year awards for his performances this season

Sadio Mane has given Liverpool another spectacular spell through his consistent performance. The Senegalese has scored 19 goals and assisted three more in 42 matches across all competitions, and some of them came in crucial games that dictated the season for the Reds. 

Even though these stats are beyond the reach of most players in his position, he doesn’t get all the headlines because of Mohamed Salah’s presence in the Liverpool team.

Micah Richards back Liverpool star Sadio Mane to win the player of the season award. (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane playing in the Egypt vs Senegal match. (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Former Premier League footballer turned pundit Micah Richards believes Mane is worthy enough to get the PFA Player of the Year award. Given his performances of late, it is difficult to disagree with the former Man City defender.    

“I came away from the stadium [after FA Cup semi-final] with my mind made up: If I had a vote in the PFA Player of the Year awards, I would cast mine for Mane. I don’t know why it is, but I’m still not totally sure that it gets recognised just how good this guy actually is.” 

Micah even added that the Senegalese star is quite underrated as despite doing all the fantastic tasks on the field, his accolades don’t get talked about much by the media.  

“Salah, understandably, gets the headlines, and I suspect he will be many people’s idea of the season’s top performer and is understandably favourite to get the award for what would be his second time, but Mane shades it, as far as I am concerned when you look at the bigger picture.”

Should Sadio Mane win the PFA award?

Sadio Mane has been a reliable player for Liverpool for many years. His 116 goals and 46 assists in 260 matches for Liverpool seem beyond impressive. But the 30-year-old hasn’t won the PFA Player of the Year until now. 

Micah Richards back Liverpool star Sadio Mane to win the player of the season award.
Sadio Mane celebrates scoring for Liverpool.

This term, he has helped Liverpool get through some difficult matches, including the one against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final. If the Reds win the coveted title in this term, Mane would have a significant claim to it. 

Apart from club football, Mane has helped his country win the AFCON tournament and also led them to World Cup 2022 at the expense of Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah on both counts.

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Considering such achievements, it is not illogical to think of Mane as the PFA player of the season. However, to win the award, he has to beat his colleague Salah who has been ravaging form. 

As the crucial point of the season is coming, It remains to be seen how the Reds star finishes the season because that would have a massive impact on their claim to the award.