Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Liverpool striker Sadio Mane deserves to win the Ballon d'Or.

The Senegalese has started this season with eight strikes in his 11 appearances in all competitions, including a brace as the Reds won the UEFA Super Cup against Chelsea in August.

When asked who should win the Ballon d'Or by beIN Sports during a Twitter Q&A, Wenger said: "Mane was the outstanding character, I would say – because he is a fighter… and efficient.

"He's not scared of anybody. At the moment, he deserves huge credit."

Mane is unlikely to win the award though, with teammate Virgil van Dijk set to go head-to-head with five-time winner Lionel Messi of Barcelona.