The four key areas where Sadio Mane will improve Liverpool’s attack

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The Southampton star is close to completing a move to Liverpool.

Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring the second goal for Southampton

Liverpool are on the verge of completing a £34.5 million move for Southampton star Sadio Mane, according to the Telegraph.

The Reds have been in negotiations for the Saints star for several weeks after Jurgen Klopp identified him as key to his plans for the future.

Sadio Mane celebrates with Jose Fonte and Shane Long (R) after scoring the first goal for Southampton

The deal may end up costing them as much as £38.5 million if a series of clauses, such as Champions League football, are achieved by Liverpool in future.

He enjoyed another strong year for Ronald Koeman’s side last season, so how exactly will he improve Liverpool’s already packed forward line?

Well his stats from the last campaign suggest that he will represent a rather significant upgrade on what they already have.

He managed 11 goals in the Premier League, more than any Liverpoool man, while only Sturridge bettered his number of on target attempts per game.

Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring the first goal for Southampton

He also registered six assists with those goals and a total of 1.1 key passes per game, a total only Firmino managed to better last season.

When it came to dribbling, crossing and passing though, he came out far on top of any of the Liverpool forwards last season.

Those stats show why Klopp was so keen to sign him and it remains to be seen if he can continue to impress at Anfield as he did at St Mary’s.

Sadio Mane celebrates with team mates after scoring the third goal for Southampton