---
title: "Virals: Important Liverpool duo shine on international duty"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/virals-important-liverpool-duo-shine-on-international-duty/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-09-02T09:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-09-02T09:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: Important Liverpool duo shine on international duty

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/09/02/virgil-van-dijk-catches-the-eye-on-social-media-following-holland-comeback/) have made an unbeaten start to the new Premier League season prior to the first international break.

Two players at the heart of the performances so far have been [Sadio Mane](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/08/30/virals-liverpools-afcon-stance-revealed-as-transfer-deadline-looms/) and Naby Keita.

Both stars jetted off to represent their countries in World Cup qualifying following a hard-fought [1-1 draw against Chelsea](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58289649) on Saturday and have continued their bright start to the new campaign.

Mane scored the opening goal of the game – the 29-year-old forward’s [23rd strike](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/sadio-mane/nationalmannschaft/spieler/200512/verein_id/3499) in 78 outings – as Senegal overcame Togo [2-0](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/africa/58408464) in Thiès.

> Twitter: ![🚨](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/svg/1f6a8.svg)
>
> Sadio Mane’s goal for the Terenga Lions of Senegal
>
> ![🇸🇳](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/svg/1f1f8-1f1f3.svg)Senegal ![1⃣](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/svg/31-20e3.svg)–![0⃣](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/svg/30-20e3.svg)Togo![🇹🇬](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/svg/1f1f9-1f1ec.svg)
>
> \#WCQ2022 #WorldCupQualifiers\
> https://t.co/GEibyWaoMM (@Yaw\_Ampofo\_)

Meanwhile, the often much-maligned Keita produced a moment of [sheer quality](https://twitter.com/LFCTransferRoom/status/1433156905917157378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1433156905917157378%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.empireofthekop.com%2F2021%2F09%2F02%2Fvideo-naby-keita-bags-beautiful-assist-for-guinea-with-expertly-weighted-pass%2F) to assist Francois Kamano in Guinea’s 1-1 draw with Guinea-Bissau.

> Twitter: Naby with THAT assist ![🤯](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/svg/1f92f.svg) https://t.co/70faLkoTZe (@LFCTransferRoom)

So far this season Keita has made two appearances in the Premier League for the Reds – earning an [average Sofascore rating of 7.05](https://www.sofascore.com/player/naby-keita/365772).

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Seeing Liverpool ace’s flourish whilst away is a welcome sight from worrying over injuries to key men.

Mane has been [short on confidence](https://www.90min.com/posts/sadio-mane-clearest-victim-liverpool-crisis-confidence) for some time now and a goal on international duty could be just the tonic to return firing on all cylinders.

Likewise, Keita [needs to obtain match fitness](https://backpagefootball.com/time-is-ticking-for-naby-keita-and-his-liverpool-future/127788/) wherever possible and Jurgen Klopp will no doubt be delighted to see the midfielder influencing matches from deep.