Sadio Mane's record since joining Liverpool 12 months ago speaks for itself.

During a campaign where he was hit with various injuries and absences, the Senegal star hit 13 goals and created eight more from 29 appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side.

Mane has become such an important and dependable player at Anfield that when he isn't available the Reds look an entirely different opposition.

But it turns out it isn't just his influence on the pitch that is so valuable to the Liverpool squad.

Back in January, Mane was away at the African Cup of Nations with Senegal.

During that particular absence, Klopp's men picked up just one point from two games and were slipping further behind the Premier League's leaders.

Such was their drop in form, Mane was rushed back from the tournament in Gabon immediately after Senegal crashed out.

In an eye-opening interview with the Daily Mail, it was revealed Mane was so concerned with what he had seen while he was away, the 25-year-old had to have a quiet word with the captain.

The ex-Saints winger told Jordan Henderson he no longer recognised the football Liverpool were playing - Henderson took action.

The article states: "In a quiet moment, he took Jordan Henderson aside and explained how he had watched every game while in Gabon and ‘didn’t recognise’ the Liverpool team he saw.

"Henderson promptly called a squad meeting after a wretched performance at Hull, the air was cleared and, the next week, Mane scored both goals as Tottenham were blitzed 2-0.

"It was a victory that propelled Liverpool into the top four and gave them the impetus to stay there."

Some fans probably wouldn't consider Mane to be one of the more assertive characters in the Liverpool dressing room but he has proven himself to be a very well respected figure in the squad.

Although questions might well be asked why it took a conversation with Mane for Henderson to realise things weren't right...

How important has Sadio Mane become to Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool? Let us know in the comments below!