Ademola Lookman names the ex-Liverpool player he's shaped his game on, speaks on AFCON heroics 

Ademola Lookman is enjoying his best spell at a European club after previously wearing the colours of Charlton Athletic, Everton, RB Leipzig, Fulham and Leicester City. 

Having been declared surplus to requirements at RB Leipzig before the start of the 2022-2023 season, Lookman joined Atalanta for a fee in the region of nine million euros and his performances have justified the fee the Lombardy club paid for his services.

Since his move to Atalanta, the versatile winger has directly participated in 36 goals (24 goals, 12 assists) from 65 all-competition appearances.

Adept at playing as a winger and support striker, Lookman revealed that he has shaped his game on former Liverpool star Sadio Mane and analyzes his own performances through video after every match. 

Senegal legend Mane netted 120 goals in 269 appearances for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool before moving on to pastures new last summer after winning the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup. 

Speaking to The Athletic UK, Lookman stated: "The guy who I always looked at the most would have to be Sadio Mane.

“Looking at his threat in the box, his threat in those little tight spaces, his movement — I have watched a lot of his game in particular."

He added: "I watch my clips back, and it’s nice to be able to see your performance from a different perspective. It gives you more belief in knowing that you’re getting better and developing in certain areas."

An U20 World Cup winner with England's Young Lions in 2017, Lookman made a splash at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring three goals to help the Super Eagles advance to the final where they were beaten by tournament hosts Ivory Coast.

The 26-year-old was named to the 2023 AFCON Best XI by the Confederation of African Football Technical Study Group. 

Speaking of his performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, Lookman remarked: "It was my first AFCON with my country and obviously coming so close and not winning was very disappointing — but the whole experience, morale and camaraderie around the competition was amazing.

"I was pleased to help the team in that way. We have a team that is very powerful, very strong, very fast. 

"To be able to play that type of football with my team-mates, it was nice to be around."

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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