Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed how and why the club decided to sell Sadio Mane earlier this summer.
The fan favourite had signed in 2016 for the Reds and blossomed from a dangerous winger into one of the most all-around attacking forwards in Europe.
He scored 120 goals for Liverpool and played a key role in winning every trophy available to them, including the Champions League, Premier League and Super Cup.
However, after six years and 269 games the club allowed the forward to leave for £35m but Klopp revealed how the sale came to be.
Sadio Mane is already loving life with Bayern! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Xw9fIXXMge
— SPORF (@Sporf) July 24, 2022
Why Liverpool sold Sadio Mane
Despite contrary to popular belief, Mane wasn’t sold to accommodate the new long-term Mohamed Salah contract, but it certainly helped.
Klopp revealed when speaking to Viaplay Fotball just exactly how Mane came to leave Merseyside: “Sadio told me, and the agent told me that he was looking for a new challenge,” Klopp explained.
“If that happens early enough, like it did in this case, if that happens in the right way, that the player is working and the new club where they want to go is ready for negotiations, then it should be like it was now.
“Then you say “thank you” with the biggest respect ever. I couldn’t have more respect for Sadio, what a player he is. I wish him the best. He will play for ages, until 38 or 39 with his body – it’s absolutely crazy.”
🇸🇳 What's next for African Player of the Year Sadio Mané in 2022?
🏆 Africa Cup of Nations
🏆 English League Cup
🏆 English FA Cup
🔴 New Bayern number 17#UCL pic.twitter.com/AgWALp3jmW— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) July 22, 2022
Klopp will look to future sales of players who have been star performers over the years and hope for an exit as amicable as Mane’s.
One player who would potentially exit either this year or the next is Roberto Firmino.
The Brazilian has one year left on his current deal and has attracted attention from Juventus today.
Reports are claiming the side have sent an ‘informal’ bid of around £19m for the Brazil international.
