Mohamed Salah recently overtook Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino combined for Liverpool goal involvements in all competitions. It would be difficult for anyone to wrest the "most important player" title from the Egyptian talisman, who is going from strength to strength — but one man to have put up a surprising challenge this season is Ryan Gravenberch, and he has revealed that Mane is part of the reason why he is at Anfield.

Gravenberch is probably still just about frozen out by Salah and Van Dijk, but the midfielder can make a strong case that he is next on the list. That's quite the achievement for a player who had looked a little unmoored under Jurgen Klopp, having just endured a similar experience at Bayern Munich.

Ever since a Liverpool move for Martin Zubimendi fell through last summer, Gravenberch has had a new lease of life, thriving as the deepest midfielder under Arne Slot. Hugely effective out of possession, he brings even more value on the ball, carrying it confidently through the lines and capable of twirling his way out of the tightest of spots.

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For its part, Bayern will surely be kicking itself. Joao Palhinha arrived in a big-money move last summer as the German giant looked to find a solution in holding midfield, but injuries have disrupted his campaign, and the 29-year-old is already running out of time to prove the value of his signature.

At just 22, Gravenberch still has the world at his feet. And while his move to Liverpool went down to transfer deadline day in 2023, with Bayern Munich unwilling to cede much ground in its valuation, the fact remains that he was allowed to leave for what now looks like a paltry $41m (£33m/€40m).

Bayern paid more than that less than a year later to get Palhinha. Liverpool will rightly be patting itself on the back for its opportunism — but it should also spare some thanks for Mane.

Gravenberch has revealed that Mane, who was his teammate as they each spent a single year in Bavaria, helped convince him to make the move to Liverpool. The pair had conversations ahead of the eventual transfer.

"Sadio is a really nice guy," Gravenberch said, speaking to LFCTV. "When I was in Munich, I asked him also about Liverpool, if it’s like a good step for me and how the club was and everything.

"He said a lot of good things. So, in my head I was like, "I have to go!""

And while his Liverpool career was initially a slow burner, Gravenberch has been rewarded for his patience at Anfield. Sure enough, it has proved to be the perfect place for his development.

So maybe Salah isn't ahead of the others on goal contributions after all. Because in helping Liverpool land Gravenberch, Mane might just have provided one of his best assists.