Sadio Mane says Liverpool's 5-0 Champions League win over Porto more important than his hat-trick
Thursday 15 February 2018 11:31, UK
Sadio Mane says securing a 5-0 Champions League last-16 first leg win over Porto is more important than his hat-trick.
Mane opened the scoring in the first half (23) and twice (53 & 85) in the second as Liverpool comfortably thrashed the Portuguese champions at the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday night, placing the Merseyside club in full control ahead of the second leg on March 6.
But the Senegal international insists the team result is more important than his own individual performance.
"We played well tonight from the beginning until the end," Mane told Sky Sports. "We made many chances and I scored three goals. We scored five goals but more important is the team. The team did a great job and we won the game.
"I always try hard to get better and better. Sometimes it can work well and sometimes not but I always try to work hard because it's our job."
Mohamed Salah scored his 30th goal of the season in all competitions as Liverpool's front three impressed once again, and Mane says it is a pleasure to play alongside the former Chelsea and Roma forward.
"I'm very happy for him. He's a great player and always tries to give his best and help us to score many goals," he said. "We're lucky to have him in the team."
Captain Jordan Henderson was pleased with his side's performance, but does not want his team-mates to get complacent after the convincing victory.
He said: "We can't get carried away. It was a good performance and we try and make statements every time we play football with the way we play but that's all it is.
"It's a good performance, it's a win but we're still not through to the next round yet.
"We've got another game to go so after that we'll look forward, but for the time being it's the next game [against West Ham] so we'll move on and learn from it as best we can."
