Former Liverpool midfielder Salif Diao blames Jurgen Klopp for Sadio Mane’s exit

Sadio Mane, after six successful seasons at Liverpool from 2016-2022, decided to leave the club in search of a new challenge. The winger joined Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in a deal worth £35m.

269 appearances, 120 goals and 48 assists in his time under Jurgen Klopp. He departed Merseyside as an absolute club legend. The German’s first major signing at the club, Mane won every possible top-flight club trophy at the Reds.

Former Liverpool midfielder, Salif Diao who played for the Reds between 2002-2007 says that Jurgen Klopp is to blame for Mane’s exit from the club. The Senegalese international believes that the manager is to blame for the former RB Leipzig forward’s transfer. (h/t Liverpool Echo)

“I think he has been here for a couple of years and I think at some point he thought he did not have the love that he needed really, here at Anfield. I’m not talking about the fans, for him I think it was more with the manager.”

Mane’s last appearance for the Reds came in Liverpool’s loss to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final back in May. Post the summer break, Mane signed a three-year deal with the Bavarian giants.

His time at Munich has been a mixed bag, scoring 5 goals from 11 appearances across all competitions. Diao’s comments on Jurgen Klopp sound rather crude. It was in fact Mane who was in search of a new challenge, and the gaffer gladly accepted Mane’s desire to move on from Merseyside.

Mane spoke to BBC Sport Africa via Daily Mail, that it was in reality his own decision to depart from Liverpool in “search of a new challenge”. Hence, blaming Jurgen is factually wrong, and not an opinionated matter.

Mane’s departure from Liverpool has not benefited either party in the initial stages of transition. The Senegalese has not had the best of beginnings in his Bundesliga career, whereas Darwin Nunez, who was signed up by Liverpool has had a tough time adjusting to life in the Premier League.

However, it is still early days to judge both of their careers at their new clubs. Moreover, they also have the chance to get back into form in style, with the World Cup approaching in November.

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A good performance there would make people forget about the early struggles they have had this season so far.