“Best decision”: Sadio Mane reveals when he told Liverpool that he wants to leave the club

Sadio Mane asked Liverpool for a move a year before transfer to Bayern Munich materialised

Sadio Mane had made his intentions clear a year prior to his move from Liverpool to Bayern Munich. The Senegalese told the Reds and Jurgen Klopp about his desire to leave the Merseysiders a year in advance.

Mane joined Liverpool in 2016 from Southampton. The 30-year-old had already certified himself in the Premier League before moving to Merseyside.

Speaking to BBC Sport Africa (h/t Liverpool Echo), the Senegalese opened up about wanting a new challenge and wanting to leave the Reds a year ago.

“It was last year I took my decision to leave because I need a new challenge in my life.

“For me, it was the right time. I spoke with the coach [Jurgen Klopp] one year ago and talked to him about my desire to leave. If you see my story, I came from a small town – my life was always a challenge, so I want to challenge myself all the time.”

In his time with Liverpool, Mane became one of the best forwards in the world. He scored a lot of goals for us when it mattered and formed a brilliant trio with Mohamed Salah

The 30-year-old was the epitome of a team player, sacrificing his preferred position and tracking back for the side. He then transitioned into a strike in the second half of last season.

Mane, who scored 120 goals for the Reds, reflects back on his career with the Merseysiders. The Senegalese is proud of the six years he spent with us and deciding to move away was not easy.

“I spent eight years in the Premier League, and of course I spent six wonderful years with Liverpool and I can say we won almost everything possible. It was not an easy decision but in life, you have to sometimes take decisions and so far I think it’s the best decision I have taken in my career.”

Mane will go down as a Liverpool legend for his individual and team achievements with the Reds. The Senegalese was a key member of our Champions League and Premier League winning teams.

Some people felt Mane wasn’t given the deserved plaudits during his time in Merseyside, with other players overshadowing the Senegalese. But Reds fans will forever be grateful to him.

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Liverpool have gone out and signed Darwin Nunez this summer. The Anfield crowd will hope the Uruguayan is able to fill the hole Mane’s departure has left in the squad.