Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has described the performance of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane as “monstrous” in helping Liverpool reach the Champions League final on Tuesday night. The two African players were in action at the Ceramica stadium when the Reds came back from a two-goal deficit to beat the Yellow Submarine 3-2 in the semi-final second leg and reach the final thanks to an aggregate result increased to 5- 2.
Mané and Salah are still there
However, it was Villarreal who took the lead through Senegalese international Boulaye Dia, before former Arsenal player Francis Coquelin doubled the score to lead 2-0 at half-time. However, Liverpool came back with a more youthful side in the second half and closed the gap through Fabinho. Luis Diaz then made it 2-2 before Senegalese striker Mané gave the English side victory with a fine finish.
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Salah and Mané were part of their national teams at the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations held in Cameroon earlier this year, where the Lions of Teranga emerged victorious after beating the Pharaohs on penalties to goal. Six weeks later, the two giants of African football met again in the World Cup qualifiers, where Senegal prevailed again after penalties. Wenger praised these two players who continue to carry Liverpool.
Wenger amazed by their mentality
“Look at Salah and Sadio Mané, who played in the Africa Cup of Nations final. What they have done since they came back is monstrous. We would have complained in Europe that we were playing too many matches – never a word. Tonight Mané was kicked everywhere, never a word.”the 72-year-old told beIN Sports in awe.