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Sadio Mane believes Jurgen Klopp’s man management skills enable him to get the best out of his Liverpool players.

The Senegal international says playing for the German coach has lived up to all his expectations since his £30million move from Southampton last summer.

Mane has made a huge impact for the Reds – scoring seven Premier League goals ahead of Monday night’s Merseyside derby at Goodison.

“It is a pleasure to work under the instructions of the manager,” Mane said.

“What he is good at is pushing players to do their best. He drives everybody on as a team. He likes the players and the players all appreciate him as well.

“What’s different about Klopp? That’s a good question. The big difference is that he is very close to his players and they feel close to him. It is the human touch. The players work for him and want to win for him. The forwards love the fluidity in attack.

“We like the system. We really appreciate being able to play an open game. We like working on it. It helps that I have been able to contribute with goals, too.”

In an interview with the Mail on Sunday dismissed the idea that Liverpool might struggle in his absence when he goes to the Africa Cup of Nations next month.

“I’m sure that without me the boys here will be even better,” he said.

Mane also spoke about his religious beliefs and life growing up in the small village of Bambali in the south of Senegal.

“I won’t touch alcohol,” he added. “Religion is very important to me. I respect the rules of Islam and I pray five times a day, always.

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“Senegal is 90 per cent Muslim and maybe 10 per cent Christian and everybody lives side by side in harmony as friends. My best friend, Luke, was a Christian and we used to go to each other’s houses.

“There was no conflict between religion and the fact that I wanted to play football. I was brought up correctly and in the right way and my parents are very proud of the fact that I am a professional footballer.”