LIVERPOOL forward Takumi Minamino refrained from spraying champagne during the club’s Carabao Cup celebrations after being asked not to by Sadio Mane.
The Reds were celebrating with the trophy at Wembley following their epic penalty shootout victory against Chelsea on Sunday.
1
With the players congregating on the podium in the centre of the pitch, the customary bottles of champagne were laid out ready to be sprayed.
Japan international Minamino, who failed to come off the bench against the Blues, picked up a bottle with the intention of showering it over his team-mates.
As he picked up the bottle he turned to devout Muslim Mane, who politely asked him not to spray it.
Minamino duly obliged as he placed it back on the ground, before joining in with the rest of the squad singing and dancing.
But once the official pictures of the squad celebrating on the podium had been taken, Mane moved away to allow his team-mates to douse themselves in champagne.
Boss Jurgen Klopp noticed Mane had moved away from the rest of the squad and went over to stand with him to ensure he wasn’t feeling excluded.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
Fans were quick to praise Minamino for respecting Mane’s wishes, as one user tweeted: “Mane did the right thing to feel comfortable. Minamino was gracious and so understanding. Respect.”
Another remarked: “Minamino even looks at Mane with a knowing ‘this cool for you?’ And totally respected his wishes. Top class.”
A third added: “Love Minamino for understanding.”
Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson revealed in 2020 how the club sprayed non-alcoholic champagne during their Premier League title celebrations.
Along with Mane, Egyptian star Mohamed Salah also refrains from alcohol due to being a Muslim.
Speaking to The Times, Henderson said: “The champagne was non-alcoholic with the trophy lift because of Mo and Sadio.
“Within the dressing rooms there is none of that [intolerance] so why isn’t that the case in the outside world?”
⚽ Read our Football News Live blog for breaking news, transfer gossip and must-read stories
