Kyle Walker Names Liverpool player as One of the Toughest Opponents He’s Ever Faced

Manchester City captain Kyle Walker has opened up about his toughest battles on the field, and among them, he ranks former Liverpool star Sadio Mane as one of the most challenging players he has ever faced.

During an interview, Walker reflected on his career and the intense rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool. Mane, who was a key figure for Liverpool during their title battles with City, left a lasting impression on the England right-back.

“I would say Mane,” Walker admitted when discussing his toughest opponents. “Being at Manchester City, I’ve had some great rivals with Liverpool, and coming up against him was always tough. You know, so skilful, worked really hard for the team, and also, you know, chipped in with a lot of goals, sometimes against me.”

Walker’s respect for Mane is evident as he highlighted the winger’s unique combination of skill, work ethic, and goal-scoring ability, which made him a formidable opponent. The two faced off multiple times during Liverpool’s rise to Premier League and Champions League glory, with their duels becoming a key part of the fierce rivalry between City and Liverpool in recent seasons.

Mane, now playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, spent six successful years at Liverpool, scoring 120 goals and winning numerous trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League. His performances against City, and particularly against Walker, were some of his most memorable, consistently causing problems for City’s defense with his pace and directness.

For Walker, Mane stands out not just as a difficult player to handle, but as one of the most complete attackers in world football. “He was always someone you had to be on your toes for, every minute of the game,” Walker added.

Mane’s departure from the Premier League may have ended the on-pitch battles between him and Walker, but the Manchester City captain’s admiration for his former rival remains clear, underscoring just how influential Mane was during his time in England.