Mane feels he is firing on all cylinders again

Liverpool: Sadio Mane admits falling below his standards during a difficult second season at Liverpool, but says his self-belief never wavered as he re-emerged with a stunning hat-trick in Porto.

Despite Mane’s recent dip, his numbers are hardly shoddy. His Champions League treble in Estadio do Dragao means he has 12 goals this season — just one short of his total for last year — while he also has more assists.

“It was tough on me but it is part of football and can happen,” said the Senegalese of his apparent ‘barren’ run. “I always tried to remain balanced, even when it was not working, because it is my job and I have to do it. It is part of football. I don’t know how to describe it but it can happen to every single player and in my mind I was relaxed that it will change.”

Jurgen Klopp believes Mane’s controversial sending-off at Manchester City in September — and the subsequent ban — had a detrimental impact beyond the three-game suspension.

The 25-year-old also suffered a hamstring injury on international duty shortly after and has been striving for his best since.

“Yeah, it was not my wish but it happened,” said Mane. “As a player sometimes it is not easy for me. I never doubted myself as I knew I could help the team. I never doubted how I could help the team and I never stopped working hard every day in training.

“We have more important games to come in the next couple of weeks so we will be ready for that. Honestly I am very happy to score three goals.”

It is testimony to Liverpool’s attacking potency that even with Mane seeking to recapture his best, Klopp’s side have 99 goals already this season.

They are highest scorers in this year’s Champions League with 28, and James Milner — the most decorated player in the squad from his days at Manchester City — believes the potential in Klopp’s side is limitless.

“The hardest thing in football is putting the ball in the back of the net and we have got players who can do that,” said Milner.

“I don’t think anyone will want to play us but we have got to keep improving and keep experiencing these games in Europe, the big nights that matter, and learning from the process. We have had a good result and performance but there are going to be times, hopefully in the next few years, when you have got to knuckle down and fight and find a way to win.

“That is big-game experience and being in these competitions. There is ability and talent in that dressing room but it is a young dressing room. But this team can go anywhere. We have just got to keep working hard, learning and improving as a group.”

Meanwhile Jurgen Klopp is ready to abandon plans to pursue Roma goalkeeper Allison as Loris Karius’ hopes of establishing himself as the long-term Liverpool No 1 have increased.

Liverpool are likely to need another keeper at the end of the season as the recently demoted Simon Mignolet is sure to seek first team football elsewhere.

But with Karius showing encouraging form since being confirmed as undisputed first choice, a massive outlay on a new keeper is increasingly unlikely.

Liverpool’s previous interest in Allison is further complicated because Mohamed Salah’s extraordinary exploits have prompted Roma, his former club, to bemoan his cut-price GBP35 million sale last summer, although that could rise based on several clauses.