Mane not interested in Liverpool contract talk

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Sadio Mane has refused to comment on his contract situation at Liverpool, with the Senegal forward yet to commit his long-term future to the club.

Mane is reported to have opened preliminary talks with Liverpool over a new deal at the end of last season. However the 26-year-old has yet to sign an extension, with his current contract due to expire in 2021.

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When asked about his future the former Southampton forward, who moved to Anfield in 2016, preferred to talk about on-pitch matters.

“I am more focused on the games, things like contracts I leave with my agent,” Mane told the Liverpool Echo.

“I am happy and concentrating on giving my best for my team-mates, my manager and the fans.”

Liverpool claimed a credible 1-1 draw at Arsenal on Saturday but dropped to third in the Premier League after victories for Chelsea and Manchester City on Sunday.

Mane insists the players are only focused on themselves and not their rivals as the Merseysiders chase a first top-flight title since 1990.

"Honestly, we are not thinking about Man City or any other team,” he added.

“There is no point putting more pressure on ourselves. It's still early in the season. We have our work to do and that's what we are concentrated on.

“We have to take the positives. Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham are very good teams and we have already played them all away and we are still unbeaten. Now we need to try to do even better.”

Mane also refused to criticise the officials after he had a goal disallowed for offside during the first half at the Emirates Stadium.

Mane thought he had given Liverpool the lead when he tapped home from close range after Roberto Firmino had hit the post but the linesman's flag was raised. Replays later showed Firmino was onside when he was played in and Mane was behind his Brazilian team-mate when the shot was taken.

“I haven't watched it back and to be honest I'm someone who is not really interested in this kind of thing,” Mane said.

“If you remember, when I scored a goal against West Ham earlier in the season I was offside and that goal counted.

“So if this time I was onside and it didn't count then you just to deal with it and accept it. Officials are human beings and sometimes we all make mistakes.

“I think it was a good game, a difficult game. We were disappointed not to win because we had more clear chances than them.

“We struggled a little bit in the first half. Our pressing was lacking at times and it was too easy for them to pass it around. We needed to be more together.

“The manager changed some things at half-time and we improved in the second half. I know we can do better but a draw at Arsenal is not a bad result and now we have to move forward.”

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