Chris Sutton has questioned why Liverpool’s Sadio Mane is ‘palming off’ his future in the hands of the Senegalese people, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.
Prior to the Champions League final, and since then, there has been a lot of talk around Mane’s future at Liverpool.
There have been rumours that Mane wants a new challenge in his career, with German champions Bayern Munich keen on his talents.
It didn’t help matters when Mane claimed that the majority of people in Senegal want him to leave Liverpool, especially given what he has done on Merseyside over the years.
He recently became his nation’s highest ever goalscorer when he netted a hat-trick during their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin.
Nonetheless, Sutton is baffled by the talk around Mane and questions why he would want to leave Liverpool for Bayern.
“I do think he has been their best forward this season,” said Sutton. “I know that Liverpool have great competition for places up top now.
“Luis Diaz has been a great signing and Jota. But Mane is so important to them.
“What I can’t get is that Mane is palming this off on the Senegalese public, isn’t he?! What does he do if it’s 50-50?
“Would he stand a better chance winning a Champions League at Liverpool or Bayern Munich? Exactly (it’s Liverpool), so why would he want to leave Liverpool?”
WHO SHOULD REPLACE MANE IF HE LEAVES?
Liverpool have to ask themselves the question because the noise coming about Mane’s future isn’t a positive one and they may have to sell, especially with 12 months remaining on his contract.
Those in the Anfield boardroom, or even Jurgen Klopp, aren’t known to splash the cash on a ready-made player, so the same might happen here.
Jarrod Bowen is a name that has been thrown about before, with the West Ham forward producing his best season in West Ham colours this season.
Leeds United’s trickster, Raphinha, is another one they could target, but he isn’t as versatile as Bowen, who can play across the front three.
Or the Reds could decide to go for something different altogether and push for an out-and-out striker like Benfica’s wanted hitman, Darwin Nunez.
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