Liverpool match-winner Mane has 'turned it up' in 2019- Robertson

Andy Robertson highlighted Sadio Mane's last-gasp winner against Aston Villa as more evidence of how much the Liverpool star has raised his game in 2019.

The Senegal international shone in Mohamed Salah's absence on Saturday, setting up one and scoring the other to inspire a remarkable late comeback at Villa Park.

Liverpool trailed for over an hour before left-back Robertson met Mane's brilliant cross towards the end of 90 minutes.

The winger then cleverly glanced in Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner in the fourth minute of added time as the Premier League leaders maintained their six-point advantage over Manchester City.

"It was a smashing goal," Robertson told Liverpool's official website of Mane's decisive header.

"We worked on it in training, worked on the front post... the big moments happen in the 94th or 95th minute and he pops up. An incredible finish. Sadio has been magnificent since I've come in, but 2019 I think has been his year. He's really turned it up. He obviously shared the [Premier League] Golden Boot last year and he's off to a flyer this year."

 

2 November 2019

Mane, who has now scored 10 goals in all competitions this term, was booked for simulation before half-time and has been accused of occasionally diving by City boss Pep Guardiola, a comment sure to stoke tensions ahead of next weekend's top-of-the-table encounter at Anfield.

Liverpool will care little for now as they celebrate winning from a losing position for the third time in their past four Premier League matches.

Robertson attributed the catalogue of rescue jobs to Jurgen Klopp's demanding fitness regime.

"Like we said last season as well, it's all about the work that goes into pre-season and we worked so hard to get fit and we believe we can go right to the end," the Scotland captain said.

"We went 95, 96 minutes [at Villa] and that's why, when teams start to get tired, we kind of find our second gear and we start getting good chances."