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Sadio Mane has listed the characteristics he most admires about Jurgen Klopp following his most successful season yet at Anfield.

Mane finished the Premier League's joint top goalscorer after netting 22 goals, sharing the award with teammate Mohamed Salah and Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Mane also played his part in the Reds' Champions League-winning campaign, scoring four goals in the competition.

And the 27-year-old said Klopp is to thank for his brilliant form at the club.

Mane said: "He’s a very special manager. He has a lot of qualities and distinctive characteristics, but what really struck me is that he’s a really, really nice guy outside of football. His human side touched me, and that’s really rare to find someone like that, especially in football.

(Image: PETER POWELL/EPA-EFE/REX)

“He’s a coach who loves his players, he’s there for them. At the same time, he gives them responsibilities. We, the players, are ready to do anything for him! We give everything on the pitch for him, whether it’s in training or in a game, we give our all. He’s a manager who makes you want to go to war.”

Mane also revealed Klopp first wanted to sign him while he was at Salzburg and Klopp was managing Dortmund, and that although he ended up in the Premier League playing for Southampton , he was disappointed to not be able to link up with the German earlier.

“That transfer (from Salzburg to Southampton) was tough and complicated. I’ll tell you the truth. Southampton is a very good club, but I didn’t want to go there," he said.

(Image: PA Wire)

“My aim was to sign at Dortmund because Jürgen Klopp wanted me. Except Salzburg was already in agreement with Spartak Moscow. They wanted to sell me in Russia to get the most money. Dortmund were ready to pay €12m. I said no to Russia. My dream was to play in the best leagues."

Like Klopp, the Champions League was Mane's first trophy at Anfield, and he will desperately hoping to add to that next season as Liverpool look to go head-to-head with Manchester City for the league title again.