Jamie Carragher: Sadio Mane Gives Liverpool 'Hope and Belief' With Barcelona Performance

Former Liverpool defender and media pundit Jamie Carragher has praised Sadio Mane's performance during their demolition of Spanish giants Barcelona last week.

Mane signed for Liverpool earlier this summer from Southampton for an initial £34m, which could rise to £36m, becoming the Reds' most expensive signing ever. 

He scored the Reds' opening goal and also impressed with his defensive work, pressing high up the pitch and putting Barcelona's defenders under constant pressure. 

Speaking to Squawka, Carragher praised Mane, amongst others, for his display against the La Liga champions.
"Mane's performance against Barcelona gives you great hope and belief," Carragher declared.

"Firmino's done well. Klopp said he's been the man of pre-season.
"I like the look of Lallana in a central midfield position." 

 While Barcelona were nowhere near their best, Carragher maintained that the result has to be taken seriously given how close the dawn of the new Premier League season is.

"When you start pre-season, players are coming on and off, you're playing lower league opposition, it's just about getting fitness," Carragher continued.

"The closer you get to the Premier League starting that's when you judge it more, and you have to look at that Barcelona game and very few came out with poor marks."
Mane will battle for an attacking place on the team with the likes of Phillipe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum. 

He scored 11 Premier League goals last season, more than any Liverpool player managed during that campaign, and his performance against Barcelona has helped fuel major optimism among Liverpool supporters for the upcoming Premier League season. 
Jurgen Klopp's side will be looking to improve on their finish of 8th last season.