Sadio Mane bagged a hat-trick to become Senegal's all-time leading goalscorer - and then backtracked on claims that the majority of Senegalese people 'want him to quit' Liverpool.
The Reds hitman has been linked with a move away from Anfield in recent weeks after he hinted before last weekend's Champions League final that he could be on the move this summer. And the 30-year-old whipped Liverpool fans into a frenzy on Friday night after he claimed: "Isn't it between 60 to 70% of Senegalese want me to leave Liverpool? I will do what they want. We will see soon! The future will tell us."
But Mane clarified his comments after Senegal's 3-1 win over Benin and insisted that he had only been having some light-hearted fun with his claim before the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Mane told Canal Plus: "I spoke yesterday while joking with a bit of humour and it was everywhere. I think we'll stop there. Liverpool is a club I respect a lot. The fans adopted me since day one. Regarding the future, we'll see."
Mane has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich, who are dealing with their own wantaway star in Robert Lewandowski. The German giants are desperate to snare Mane this summer, who will be free to walk away from Liverpool for nothing next year if the Reds decide not to cash in on the former Southampton man this summer.
Although Mane has stayed quiet on his future after the Reds were defeated 1-0 by Real Madrid in the Champions League final, a report from Diario AS claimed that the Reds ace had already 'told his teammates he was leaving' the club last week.
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Another report even claims that Mane has 'already agreed a three-year deal' with Bayern. If Mane does depart this summer, then Liverpool's iconic attacking trio of Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino will be no more.
Like Mane, both Salah and Firmino are due to become free agents next summer. Salah has confirmed that he has no intention to leave Anfield this season, but the Reds hierarchy have still yet to come to terms with the Egyptian wizard over a new deal.
Speaking before last weekend's Champions League final, Salah said: "In my mind, I don't focus on the contract. I don't want to be selfish at all. I said two months ago it's about the team. It's an important week for us.
"I'm just focused on the team and winning the Champions League again. I want to see Hendo [Jordan Henderson] with the trophy in the hands and hopefully he gives it to me. I don't want to talk about the contract now, I'm staying next season for sure, that's clear."
