Dean Saunders: Mane’s departure affects the whole team.

By Xorkpe Sosu 3 Min Read

Dean Saunders thinks that allowing Sadio Mane to leave Liverpool this summer was a grave mistake.

The Senegal international moved to Bayern Munich earlier this summer in a deal worth £35 million, ending his six-year tenure at Anfield.

Mane has certainly gotten off to a fast start since joining the German powerhouses, scoring four goals in as many games in the Bundesliga and German Super Cup.

We're now on WhatsApp. Click here to join.

Many Liverpool supporters are enviously observing.

Mane has scored as many goals since the Premier League season began as Jurgen Klopp’s whole squad, which has scored only four goals in a fragmented first half of the year.

Sadio Mane at Bayern
Mane has had an impressive start to his career at Bayern Munich after his first silverware

Saunders thinks that Mane’s departure is having a significant impact on Liverpool, who have yet to win a league match after suffering a disappointing 2-1 loss to Manchester United.

Saunders remarked during talkSPORT Breakfast: “It’s easy for me to say it, but I have been thinking it, you can’t just let a player like Sadio Mane leave and replace him.”
“It affects the whole team.”

Saunders responded to a remark that Fabio Carvalho was effective when he entered the game by saying: “Yeah, but he’s not Mane.”
“You just have to think about what he does in a game.”

“Every time the ball is kicked long towards him or Salah the ball sticks. They’ve got glue on the end of their toe.”

“They’re both strong so you can’t knock them off the ball. He carries the fight of the left-hand side. He does more than just score, he carries the whole left side of the pitch.”

sadio Mane 1
Klopp needs to find a way to replace Mane’s all-round game

“Salah’s not going to score as many goals with Mane not playing, for obvious reasons.

“The midfield three who we’ve looked at and always thought they’re quite average – they’re not Man City’s midfield – but they suit Liverpool’s way of playing because they walk back, so now you’re starting to question the midfield. You’re looking at Milner and Henderson, are they too old?

“It’s a combination of injuries, bad defending from Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and Mane leaving the club.”

Share This Article
?>