Sadio Mane bounced back from his recent struggles by getting on the scoresheet for Bayern Munich on Saturday afternoon.
It has been a torrid few weeks for the ex-Liverpool star, who has struggled for form since returning from a long-term lay-off in February before becoming involved in a controversial altercation with fellow-team-mate Leroy Sane. Understood to be viewed as a player surplus to requirements, the idea of Thomas Tuchel offloading the 31-year-old this summer has even been discussed.
Mane punched the lip of the German winger following Bayern's Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat by Manchester City, resulting in him receiving a hefty fine and being left out of a matchday squad for a league match against Hoffenheim.
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Getting back on track this afternoon from a personal perspective, the Senegalese international ended a run of 10 games without a goal at club level after opening the scoring in a Bundesliga meeting with Mainz earlier today.
The positives ended there, however, as Bayern were breached three times during the second half to suffer a damaging 3-1 defeat.
This result, not only adding to Bayern's woes after being knocked out of Europe, has enabled Borussia Dortmund to claim control in the race for the league title. Making the most of their rivals slipping up on Saturday, Dortmund responded with a 4-0 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt to move one point clear at the summit.
Opening the scoring for Jurgen Klopp's former employers was none other than Jude Bellingham, a player who has continued to be linked to Liverpool in the last 18 months. News of the Reds cooling their interest in the teenage midfielder at this time has not been well-received by supporters - but could a scenario which presents Liverpool with a second chance to recruit the Birmingham-born youngster unfold?
Should Dortmund go on to become champions for the first time in over a decade, at a time when Bayern are seemingly in decline, Bellingham may well decide to bide his time before opting for the next step in his blossoming career.
A recent report from the Times suggested that could prove to be the reality of the situation, with the 19-year-old understood to remain at his current club and reassess in 2024 as opposed to being 'pushed towards a move that's not absolutely right'.
A stance of this nature potentially keeps alive hopes Liverpool fans will have of one day seeing Bellingham in a Liverpool shirt - and Dortmund's resurgence is only adding to the idea that the midfielder expected to dominate world football for the next decade may be having second thoughts over a hasty dash for the exit doors.
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