After ending a seven-year wait for silverware with the Champions League, Sadio Mane says Liverpool are going for the Premier League title next.
Saturday’s 2-0 win over Tottenham in Madrid was the Merseyside club’s sixth European Cup success, meaning only AC Milan (seven) and Real Madrid (13) have more than them now.
It was the club’s second Champions League triumph since the turn of the century, having beating Milan with sensational comeback in Istanbul back in 2005.
But the 2019/20 season will mark the 30th anniversary since the Reds lifted the last of their 18 domestic titles.
And after agonisingly missing out to Manchester City by just one point in the race for the Prem title, Liverpool believe that next year could finally be theirs.
LEAGUE AMBITIONS: Sadio Mane. Photo: Carl Recine/Reuters.
At Sunday’s Champions League trophy parade, which attracted 750,000 fans, Mane said: “For sure, I think it’s the start of something special.
“Last year we were so close [losing to Real in the 2018 Champions League final], and this season we won it.
“So, next year we go for the league and Champions League.
🖐️☝️ pic.twitter.com/rCa9pmN3Zk
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 4, 2019
“We know it will not be easy but we are Liverpool, we are strong, we will do everything and we still have a young team. We will keep learning and working hard to get more trophies.”
Coach Jurgen Klopp is a happy man at finally breaking his duck with the club having arrived from Borussia Dortmund at the start of the 2015/16 season.
And he too is hellbent on pipping Pep Guardiola’s City to the title next season.
START ALL OVER AGAIN: Virgil Van Dijk. Photo: Bernat Armangue/AP.
The German revealed that Pep called him to congratulate him on Saturday and that they had vowed to fight to the death again.
He says: “We promised each other already that we will kick our butts next year again.”
It was a sentiment shared by centreback Virgil van Dijk as he spoke after being named man of the match in the final.
He says: “In July when we start again, everyone starts on nil and everyone’s working towards their goals.
CHAMPIONS 🏆 Incredible 🔥❤️🤙🏾
You'll Never Walk Alone #LFC #YNWA
Thanks everybody, we made it #SM10 #UCLfinal💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/I0oeqOTKAs
— Sadio Mane #10FP (@SadioMane10FP) June 2, 2019
“We have the squad for it, but you’ve also seen it this year, you still have to do it, and hopefully we can challenge Manchester City again next season for the title, because I don’t think they will go anywhere, so we won’t go anywhere either.”