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Sadio Mane says the backing of the club’s fans has contributed to the blistering start he’s made to his Liverpool career.

The Senegal attacker became the most expensive African footballer in history when he joined the Reds for £30million from Southampton this summer.

However, that price tag hasn’t weighed heavily on his shoulders with Mane scoring on his debut against Arsenal and giving Jurgen Klopp’s side a new dimension in the opening stages of the campaign with his pace and skill.

“It’s normal in football. People will talk about it (the transfer fee) but I don’t feel the pressure,” Mane said.

“I have always believed in my quality and I know what I can do for my team.

“I just try to work in training every day and give my best for the club and for the fans.

“I was very happy to score my first goal in my first game for Liverpool. Most importantly we won the game.

“I want to thank everyone for all the support I’ve had from the fans and from the club.”

Mane is currently in Dakar preparing for Saturday’s final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Namibia. Senegal have already qualified for January’s tournament in Gabon.

Senegal have never won the Africa Cup of Nations, coming closest in 2002 when they lost the final to Cameroon on penalties. Mane is determined to help put that right.

“It’s not easy for the Senegal fans when the team goes to the Africa Cup and goes out in the first round,” he told the BBC.

“They know we have quality and they know what we can do for them. Everybody understands them.

“We are professional and we know how it works. Now we have a new staff and a new coach and everything is going well.

“We’ve won some games and we’re in a good way. We just need to keep the same way for the Africa Cup. We will do our best to make the Senegal people happy and proud by winning that cup.”