Liverpool are really hitting their stride now.

After beating Arsenal and losing to Burnley, many Reds fans were worried it was going to be another season blighted by inconsistency that would eventually lead them to finishing out of the top four - the real aim for this season.

Now, though, things are looking very bright. The Anfield outfit have bounced back from the defeat against the Clarets in emphatic style with great performances against Chelsea, Leicester and, at the weekend, Hull to put them well in contention for the Champions League places as well as, say it quietly, the title.

Whether the Reds can keep it up remains to be seen, but much of their storming start has been down to both the improvement of their squad, Jurgen Klopp's tactics and one signing in particular - Sadio Mane.

The former Southampton man has been in stellar form so far this season and we think, albeit six games in, he could be the signing of the year. Here are FOUR reasons why...

Goals and assists

Mane has quickly found his feet this season scoring three goals and adding another assist, with the best of the bunch that fine solo effort against Arsenal on the opening day.

Many wondered if he could score with the regularity needed to take Liverpool to the top four, but so far he's doing enough alongside Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho.

Added an extra dynamic

One of the glaring weaknesses, aside from the Reds' defence, from last season was the lack of genuine pace on the flanks.

Coutinho and Adam Lallana were often deployed on the wings but preferred to come inside rather than stretch the opposing full-backs. Mane has given the side the ability to do this.

Relatively cheap

The initial reaction to the fee Liverpool paid was one bordering on ridicule - it looked as though the Reds had overspent.

Now, though, the argument is, surely, that it seems good value for a player scoring goals and causing havoc for opposition defences. Many players were bought for more in the last window and have had less of an effect than the former Saints man, so it's looking a better and better deal by the day.

Big game player

He's shown this season, much like the rest of the Reds squad, that the big fixtures do not bother him at all and, if anything, they make him even better.

He was outstanding on his debut against Arsenal whilst he also gave Spurs a headache and took last year's champions, Leicester City, apart too. The Reds fans will hope this continues.