Klopp told he’s signed a Liverpool player ‘not in same class’ as Sadio Mane

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Dean Saunders believes Liverpool are paying the price for Sadio Mane’s exit with Luis Diaz ‘not in the same class’ as the Premier League icon.

How Jurgen Klopp could have done with Mane at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night; Liverpool once again lacking intensity and endeavour during a miserable night in West London.

Chelsea creating the vast majority of the chances during an eventual 0-0 draw. A scoreline which, in truth, rather flattered the visitors from Merseyside. 

With Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo on the bench, Darwin Nunez, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota barely tested Kepa Arrizabalaga. And Saunders believes his former employers are crying out for a talent as effective on and off the ball as Sadio Mane; the face-melting guitarist in Klopp’s ’heavy metal’ band. 

Is Luis Diaz ‘in the same class’ as Liverpool hero Sadio Mane?

“He was the best presser,” the former Anfield favourite tells talkSPORT (4 April, 10pm). 

“The pressing started with him. He covered the ground, anticipated where the ball was going. He and Salah, their legs are that strong. (Virgil) Van Dijk used to hit diagonals to both of them and the ball would stick, their touch is that good.

“Andy Robertson could play it up the line (to Mane) and confidently overlap. And they didn’t give the ball away.”

In Klopp’s defence, the Liverpool manager did bring in Luis Diaz from Porto 15 months ago. The Colombian speedster, so impressive in his debut season, would surely have helped offset Mane’s departure to Bayern Munich but has not been seen since October due to a serious knee injury. 

But Saunders, while an admirer of Diaz, insists the one-time Everton target cannot hold a candle to a man who won all there was to win in Liverpool red. 

“Not as good (as Mane),” Saunders adds. “Not in the same class. Not in the same class.

“Imagine you’re in Spurs dressing room when they get rid of Harry Kane. What do you think the rest of the group are thinking (when a star player is sold). It’s not just losing Kane, you’re knocking the stuffing out of the others.

“(The rest of the players are thinking) ‘aren’t we trying to win something’?”