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Sadio Mane believes Liverpool colossus Virgil van Dijk has proved to be a £75million bargain.

The Dutch centre-back produced another dominant performance in Friday's 2-0 win at Wolves which kept the Reds' title challenge on track.

Next week marks the first anniversary of Van Dijk agreeing a record-breaking move to Anfield from Southampton.

Mane insists Van Dijk has since taken the leap into the world-class bracket by helping to transform Liverpool's fortunes defensively.

“It's been a big, big impact. We've all seen it,” Mane said.

“Of course at the time he signed people were thinking that the club had over-paid for Virgil.

“But since then everyone has forgotten about the fee because his form has been so good. He's done such a great job for us back there. I am so happy to have him as a team-mate.

“He's one of the leaders. You can see it in every single game. He has proved he's one of the best defenders in the world.”

As well as ensuring Liverpool made it 11 clean sheets in 18 league matches, Van Dijk also wrapped up the points at Molineux with his first Premier League goal for the Reds with a classy finish from Mo Salah's cross. Mane is convinced there will be many more to come.

“I said to Virgil: 'Finally, you have scored in the Premier League for us!'” Mane joked.

“It had been a long time. Everyone is happy for him and he's such a good player that I'm sure that more goals will follow for him.”

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Mane admits Jurgen Klopp's side had to dig deep to clinch a seventh successive league win.

They had to weather an early storm before Salah fired them in front.

“I think it was not our best game,” Mane said.

“It was tough in those conditions but we kept the ball well, created some chances and controlled the game which is what we were trying to do. In the end there's no doubt that we deserved the win.

“We can still improve. Nothing comes easy for us but we are a good team and everyone is ready for the fight. We're just taking it game by game and trying to keep this winning run going.

"You can't always play at your maximum, especially at tough places like this, but you still need to be able to get results.

"We did that and it's a very good sign for the club. We'll try to do better in the next game."

Newcastle visit Anfield on Boxing Day with the Reds looking down on all their rivals.

"Of course it means a lot for us and for the club. It's a sign that we are doing well," Mane said.

"But being top at Christmas isn't the target for us. Everyone knows what our target is and we're going to fight for it and go for it.

"For me, I think it's still too early to be speaking about the title race. We just try to focus on the next game and now it's all about Newcastle."

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