Ranking the top 5 favorites for the 2019 Ballon d'Or

#4 Sadio Mane (Liverpool / Senegal)

Sadio Mane is spearheading Liverpool's quest for a first Premier League title

Sadio Mane has been a rare gem right from his days with Red Bull Salzburg in Austria and Southampton in the Premier League. But it is under Jurgen Klopp's management at Liverpool that he has been catapulted into global prominence.

The German tactician's energy-pressing system of play matches well with Mane's skillset. And the Senegalese international has grown from strength to strength at Anfield, complemented by a fearsome front three also including Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

Last season Mane played a key role in Liverpool's Champions League success. He also contributed 22 goals as The Reds pushed Manchester City till the last day in an intense Premier League battle.

Mane's tally was enough to see him jointly win the Premier League Golden Boot alongside strike partner Salah and Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in what was an all-African affair.

So far this season, the 27-year-old has continued from where he left off and has weighed in with five goals and one assist. He has also won crucial match-winning penalties in very tense games against Leicester City and Tottenham to help Liverpool maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.