Liverpool’s transfer window has been rated and the loss of Sadio Mane has been rated as the biggest loss in the window this summer.
The Reds saw Mane depart for a new challenge in Germany with Bayern Munich, whilst fringe attackers Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino also left the club.
Jurgen Klopp moved quickly to replace Mane with Darwin Nunez of Benfica and the January signing of Luis Diaz was also an example of forward planning given the futures of Mane and Mohamed Salah were up in the air at the time.
But Mane has been rated as the joint biggest loss (statistically) in the league this summer – will that affect Liverpool’s hopes of winning a PL title?
William Gallas:
“As an ex-London player, I have to say Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham to win the Premier League. On top four, Liverpool can miss out because they don't have Sadio Mane anymore and Diaz does not have the same impact.” #lfc [genting casino]
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) August 11, 2022
What does the report say?
The stats collected by The Athletic demonstrate which plays had the highest impact values on their clubs following their departures.
Mane was listed at joint top of the list with Antonio Rudiger, who swapped Chelsea for Madrid.
In contrast, it showed that the losses of Origi and Minamino were actually positives for Liverpool – most likely related to their lack of minutes in the league.
The Athletic (https://theathletic.com/3480375/2022/08/11/top-six-transfer-window/)
Other football figures have come in defence of Mane, such as West Ham’s Michail Antonio who claimed he is going to be a big miss for Liverpool, even despite their summer business.
“I don’t feel like they needed to sell him, I think that rivalry they had and that push that Mane was giving Salah and that Salah was giving to Mane, I think that was good for Liverpool.”
They had that rivalry on the pitch and demanded the best from each other. That rivalry they had and everything they had was good for Liverpool.”
Can Nunez or Diaz replicate Mane’s impact?
Nunez is a different flavour of forward given he is more of a natural number nine, which is different for Liverpool given their preference for a false nine over the Klopp years with Roberto Firmino and Mane last season.
We’ve already seen the effect of Nunez against Fulham; the big Uruguayan totalled a crazy high xG in only 39 minutes of action (which we covered earlier this week) and will continue to be a menace for PL defences.
Luis Diaz was brought into tie up the left wing, and at 25, he looks set to be something close to what Mane was during his prime years at Liverpool.
Both of them combined have the task of replacing and emulating Mane’s impact; it will take time but Klopp has placed his faith in two very good footballers.
