People at Liverpool are gradually realising that they should have replaced Sadio Mane, according to journalist Miguel Delaney in his Reading the Game column in The Independent (12:04pm, September 9, 2022).
Liverpool sold Senegal international forward Mane to Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were paid £35.1 million in transfer fees (The Daily Mail).
During his time at Liverpool, Mane scored 111 goals and created 63 big chances in 263 appearances in the Premier League.
The 30-year-old won the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League at Anfield.
Mane developed into a world-class player under Klopp and is now flourishing at Bayern.
So far this season, the former Southampton star has scored three goals in five appearances in the Bundesliga for Bayern.
Liverpool are struggling in the Premier League and suffered a heavy heavy in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
Liverpool’s regret regarding Sadio Mane’s move to Bayern Munich
Delaney wrote in his Reading the Game column in The Independent (12:04pm, September 9, 2022): “There are all manner of problems at Liverpool, as Jurgen Klopp has acknowledged.
“Some see a primary issue as the early pre-season, combined with the intense schedule, given how it has all disrupted the German’s usually meticulous conditioning plans.
“Whatever the truth, the effect can certainly be seen in Liverpool’s running stats, and their basic laxness on the pitch.
“Beyond that, though, many see a quite basic problem. Sadio Mane had become a genuinely world-class player and they haven’t yet replaced him. It is said to have been something that people within the club are gradually realising.
“They don’t have that outlet, that impact. Darwin Nunez is good, but he’s still potential, and requires adaptation. It is far from the only problem, of course, but it is one that ripples out.”
Mistake?
In hindsight, it does appear that Liverpool made a mistake in selling Sadio Mane and not replacing him.
Now, we know that the Senegalese was out of contract at Liverpool next summer, and Liverpool had to make a business decision.
The Reds did sign Darwin Nunez in the summer, but he is a number nine and is not a wide-forward like Mane.
Perhaps Nunez will develop into a world-class player under Klopp like Mane did.
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