Liverpool cannot win the Premier League, concedes forward Sadio Mane

Liverpool and Senegal forward Sadio Mane. [Photo: Courtesy]

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has conceded that the 19-time Premier League title winners cannot retain the league this season.

According to Mane, Liverpool's Premier League title hopes are over and the main target now is to win the club's seventh Champions League crown.

Liverpool shattered records last season (2019-20) on the way to their first English top-flight title in 30 years, but a season marred by injuries and poor form has left the club sixth and trailing runaway leaders Manchester City by 19 points.

The left-wing forward stressed Liverpool will now shift focus to Europe. 

"Our target from the beginning was the Champions League, the Premier League and also Cup games. And now, I can say it's over for the Premier League ... it's too much.

Football - Champions League - Group D - Atalanta v Liverpool - Stadio Atleti Azzurri, Bergamo, Italy - November 3, 2020. Liverpool's Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Diogo Jota. [REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo]

"In our head, it's always 'never give up' and we won't give up, but for sure, City are a good team and they're flying.

"The Champions League, that is our main target. To win it, not be second, but it won't be easy.

"You're going to face the best teams in Europe, but we're here to beat the best in the world," Mane told ESPN on Thursday.

The six-time UCL winners outclassed Germany's RB Leipzig 2-0 in the round of 16 first leg last week.