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Sadio Mane has revealed he was always going to sign a new deal at Liverpool – and believes Jurgen Klopp's Premier League leaders can become even better during the run-in.

Mane ended months of speculation over his Reds future by agreeing his new contract in November that extends his Anfield commitment until 2023.

The lengthy negotiations – particularly with strike partners Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino having already agreed new deals – prompted fears Mane could be eyeing a departure.

Real Madrid had last summer been strongly linked with the player, who scored against the Spaniards in Liverpool's Champions League final defeat last May in Kiev.

But Mane admits there was only ever one thought in his mind.

“Speculation is part of football,” said the Liverpool forward. “You just learn to live with it and not to take it too seriously.

“All I can say is that my only concern is Liverpool. Mo, Bobby... it seemed like everyone was signing contracts and they were saying: 'Hey Sadio, when are you going to sign?'. I said to each of them: 'Don't worry bro, I will sign'.

“And what did I do? I signed... so they are pleased now!

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“I'm very happy here and I think people are happy with me too. We want to write our names alongside the many great ones in the story of this club. Hopefully it's the beginning of something special.”

Mane has been an integral part of a Liverpool side that stands four points clear of champions Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table having taken 60 points from their first 23 games – a club record.

The 26-year-old, who arrived for an initial £30million from Southampton in 2016, recently celebrated his 100 appearance for the Reds, and scored his 10 goal of the season in the 4-3 win over Crystal Palace last time out.

And, speaking to World Soccer, Mane said: “I can't wait to lift a trophy with Liverpool. I know the fans are desperate for us to win the Premier League.

(Image: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

“It would be an amazing moment for the club. It has been far too long for a team the size of Liverpool.

“We believe we are heading in the right direction, but there are some very tough rivals – City were unbelievable last season and very strong again – but why not?”

Despite Liverpool's strong start to the season, questions were asked of their forward line after initial struggles following the World Cup.

“We heard what some of the media were saying about us not starting off by playing as fast and exciting as last year, and we felt we weren't at our best ourselves at times,” said Mane.

“The results have been there but we know we could have done more with some of our performances.

“We are very competitive but know there is even more to come, for sure. In many ways, the team is stronger and we have produced some very mature performances.

“Hopefully we will hit our top form when it matters most.”

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And as for his partnership with Salah and Firmino – since the former's arrival 18 months ago, the trio have scored 131 goals between them – Mane added: “I think it just happened naturally. When you have players like Bobby and Mo they just make everything easier.

“We just seem to instinctively know each other's movement and I think you can see that we enjoy playing together. We want to get even better and score even more goals. Our best is still to come.”

The full interview with Sadio Mane can be found in the February edition of World Soccer magazine