Manchester City will fear Sadio Mane threat against Liverpool, says Jamie Redknapp

​​​​​​​In his latest Sky Sports column, Jamie Redknapp explains why Sadio Mane could be key when Liverpool face Manchester City on Saturday - and why the Reds don't have to worry about Philippe Coutinho.

Some of Manchester City and Liverpool's recent meetings have been fantastic and I'm expecting nothing different from this one.

There will be so much attacking talent on show on both sides, but Liverpool have got the man in form in Sadio Mane. Any defence would be scared stiff of
facing him after his start to the season.

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It will be a massive test for Kyle Walker. He has got to try and find a way of pushing Mane back into his own half, but the danger is that if he doesn't go with you, you leave space for the counter-attack.

Walker loves to bomb forward. Sometimes he forgets about his defensive duties but his pace gets him out of trouble. Against someone as fast Mane, however, that becomes difficult. That's why I think he could be key.

Sadio Mane has scored three goals in three games so far this season

City are more than capable of causing Liverpool problems themselves, of course, but losing Vincent Kompany is a major blow.
Kompany is one of the best Premier League defenders we've ever seen. Unfortunately, when you get a lot of injuries - and I know this from my own career - you're never really far away from your next one.

It's a big problem for City because he works so well with John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi. Any team would miss him, and those two do not fill me with confidence when he's not playing.
Pep Guardiola surprised a lot of people by not signing another centre-back during the summer, but it's difficult because when Kompany is fit, you don't need one.

Vincent Kompany has been ruled out of the game with Liverpool

I think we could see a bit of a goal-fest without him on Saturday, because Liverpool's defence is obviously their weakness as well.
It will be interesting to see how they line up, but one man who will not feature is Philippe Coutinho.
There has been a lot of talk about his mindset after everything that went on with Barcelona in the summer, but I don't think it's going to be a problem for him - and I certainly don't think it's going to be a problem for his team-mates.

Man City vs Liverpool

September 9, 2017, 11:30am

I don't think there's anyone in that dressing room thinking he has let them down. He wanted to go and play for Barcelona - as anyone in their right mind would.

As soon as fans see him turn in a great performance or score a lovely goal, they will welcome him back. Liverpool supporters are forgiving people. They will realise it was a difficult situation for everyone involved.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think there will be a statue of him going up at Anfield any time soon, but fans do forgive and forget. He has a World Cup to play for at the end of the season, so I really don't see it as a problem.

Jurgen Klopp says Philippe Coutinho accepts the decision to keep him at Liverpool

Even without Coutinho, I think Liverpool could get something on Saturday. People will say 'of course you would say that' but Jurgen Klopp has a great record against the top six and I think it will continue.
Man City play in such an expansive way. They leave space in behind and I think Liverpool will be able to exploit that on the break - especially with Mane in such lethal form.

The last big game we had on Sky Sports was Tottenham against Chelsea and the away team won. I wouldn't be surprised if that happens again on Saturday.