Peter Crouch has claimed that Sadio Mane is a "great shout" as the next winner of the Ballon d'Or as the Liverpool forward aims to help inspire the Reds to a historic quadruple.
Mane has already won two major honours since the turn of the calendar year after he guided Senegal to Africa Cup of Nations glory before returning to Merseyside and playing a big part in Liverpool's Carabao Cup triumph over Chelsea at Wembley.
Taking away the team honours, Mane's individual form has been nothing short of scintillating all season with 20 goals and three assists across all competitions for the Reds. It is this kind of return that has prompted Crouch to admit that the 30-year-old would be a worthy winner of the Ballon d'Or.
Speaking to Paddy Power, the former England international and Anfield star explained: "Mane’s a great shout. He’s won the AFCON already, and if he goes on to win the Champions League, the Premier League and if Liverpool completes the quadruple then it would almost certainly have to go to a Liverpool player, and then [Mohamed] Salah and Mane are your standouts for it."
Liverpool already have one piece of silverware secured, but the idea of them winning the remaining three are not out of the question. The Reds have a second date with Chelsea under the Wembley arch next month for the FA Cup final after seeing off Manchester City in the semi-final.
One game away from more domestic success, Jurgen Klopp's men also have one foot in the Champions League final after beating La Liga outfit Villarreal 2-0 in the first-leg of their semi-final clash at Anfield.
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The Premier League could be the hardest of all the competitions to win given Liverpool are still chasing title rivals City - who currently boast a slender one point advantage. With five games still to play, no one over at the Etihad is considering it job done as the Reds breathe down their necks.
Klopp has previously explained how European glory for Liverpool this term would increase Mane's chance of Ballon d'Or success following the win over the Yellow Submarine. He said: "Mane has had an outstanding season and is an outstanding player. I have nothing to do with the Ballon d’Or nominations. I don’t understand it 100%.
"He is world class. He again played a really good game for us but I don’t know how I can answer with the season not even over. Historically you have to win something to win the Ballon d'Or, most of the time it was like this. You have to probably win the Champions League, which we haven't done yet."
