Ian Wright thinks that Sadio Mane could be the surprise player to ‘leave’ Liverpool after the arrival of Luis Diaz, as he told Premier League Productions (10/02/22 at 7:!5 pm).
The former striker was asked whether Jurgen Klopp can keep five attackers ‘happy’ on Merseyside and who might have to part ways in order to keep things ticking.
The Reds have Mane, Diaz, Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah to pick from as their attacking options – as well as a few other back-ups.
But they are the main players, with Salah the only one who is a bonafide right-sided player, Jota being able to play across the front three, but mainly down the middle and on the left.
Diaz is best suited to playing on the left, Mane also, whilst Firmino can also play up top and deeper in midfield.
As a result, Wright explained why he thinks Mane could be the one to head for the exit door after Diaz’s arrival and not Firmino.
On whether Klopp can keep five attackers happy: “I don’t think they are going to be fine,” said Wright.
“You look at Mane. Firmino as well. If you want to keep it going, the way that Firmino plays, you would like to think that it can last a couple more years. It’s not like he’s blasting around the place running out of pace.
“So, you might even think that Mane might be the one who may leave simply because that’s the side Luis Diaz is playing. That’s the side Mane plays.
“You also look at who they would have to get to play like Firmino. Out of the two of them, you could keep Firmino because he plays like that. Diaz might be able to come in and do what Mane’s doing, although, it’s going to be a lot to ask for him.”
Last season and for parts of this campaign, Mane has hit several brick walls, regarding his form.
But he will be hoping his recent success at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, will now take his form back to those consistent heights that saw him win the Premier League and the Champions League.
If that happens, then it only makes the six-time Champions League winners even stronger in attack.
And the life of Klopp a little easier because he now finally has more options to rotate his forward players.
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