Sadio Mane: Liverpool star underlines his 'important' role for Senegal at Afcon 2021

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has revealed how he is ready to play everywhere for Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Despite the major doubts that he could have missed the quarter-final game against Equatorial Guinea owing to an injury sustained in the game against Cape Verde in the Round of 16, the 29-year-old featured and played a key role as the Lions of Teranga cruised to a 3-1 win.

Goals from Famara Diedhiou, Cheikhou Kouyate, and Ismaila Sarr helped Senegal to beat the Nzalang Nacional, who pulled a goal back courtesy of Jannick Buyla Sam but it was not enough to help them progress at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon on Sunday.

It was Mane, who set up Diedhiou for the opening goal.

“It’s my job [to be ready to play everywhere]. I have to do it because I think it's really important for me,” Mane said as quoted by BBC Sport Africa. “It’s important for the boys to make sure we win the game, so to win you have to do everything and make all the sacrifices necessary.”

On whether Senegal’s display against the Nzalang Nacional was their best ever so far in the 33rd edition of the competition, Mane said: “I think all the games, for me, are the best. Of course, I know people always look for nice football, try to create chances, and score and that's normal.

“But as a football player, you can't expect this all the time. Doing this without winning makes no sense.”

The West African side finished as runner-up in the last edition held in 2019 in Egypt after losing 1-0 against Algeria in the final and Mane thinks his side must continue to improve if they are to grace another final.

“We have enough time to prepare, see the videos, and improve because it's important,” Mane continued.

Meanwhile, Senegal