For the umpteenth time this season, Sadio Mane's impressive goalscoring form proved to be very crucial for Liverpool in the quest for the Premier League title. The 26-year-old attacker drew first blood for the Reds in Sunday's Premier League clash with Fulham and, as a result, landed himself another milestone in the competition.
Despite his opener, ex-Liverpool star Ryan Babel gave the Reds a scare after he capitalized on a defensive error by Virgil Van Dijk and Allison to draw the game level. However, James Milner's subsequent spot-kick proved to be enough to propel the Merseysiders to the top of the league table.
Sadio Mane for Liverpool, last 2 seasons:
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) March 17, 2019
17/18 - 20 goals in 44 apps
18/19 - 20 goals in 38 apps
(No penalties scored in either season) pic.twitter.com/QWlTSzSDhk
For Sadio Mane, the day's feat meant that he has now surpassed ex-Newcastle and Chelsea forward Demba Ba as the Senegalese player with the most goals in a single league campaign. Prior to kick-off Sunday's encounter at the Craven Cottage, the pair were tied at 16 goals apiece with Ba amassing his tally in the 2011/2012 season.
Furthermore, Mane took his tally in the Premier League in 2019 to nine goals – becoming the calendar year's joint-top scorer with Sergio Aguero. He also became the second African player to score 40 or more goals for Liverpool in the Premier League after Mohamed Salah.
17 - Sadio Mané has scored 17 goals in the Premier League this season, overtaking Demba Ba as the Senegalese player with the most goals in a single campaign (16 in 2011-12). Lions. pic.twitter.com/Z76rOGmelK
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 17, 2019