Southampton striker Moussa Djenepo says he can be even better than Liverpool striker Sadio Mane, who he sees as an inspiration.

Djenepo joined Southampton from Standard Liege in a deal worth up to £15million last summer.

The 21-year-old has begun relatively slowly in the Premier League, scoring two goals and assisting a further two in 18 appearances, of which ten have been starts.

But the Mali international insists he "can be better" than "big inspiration" Mane in time.

"Sadio is a big inspiration for me. I like him, he's a very big player," he told talkSPORT.

"But I think I can be better if I work hard. Sadio is a very big player, and I’m young and I need to learn more.

"In the future, we will see. I will do my best to become the next Sadio Mane."

Djenepo also paid tribute to former Liverpool striker and current Saints teammate Danny Ings, who remains in the running to win the Premier League Golden Boot.

"It was a big motivation for me, that a big player like Danny took time to text you when you are young like I am," he said.

"It meant everything to me. Danny's a very, very good guy. He's given me so much advice in training, we smile together and I'm trying to teach him the French language as well!"

- TEAMtalk media