Sadio Mane, no doubt, was a very key player at Liverpool, and his work rate at Anfield can never be swept under the carpet. In fact, he was, in my opinion, one of the very best and most important players that helped the Reds to a UCL triumph in the 2018-19 season, and subsequently the EPL the following season....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Again, his work rate and effort cannot be dismissed in their recent FA Cup triumph, the Carling Cup, and, of course, in the build up to the Uefa Champions League final, where Liverpool eventually lost out to Real Madrid, scoring over 120 goals in his Liverpool career.
But to say that Liverpool’s slow start to the season is as a result of Sadio Mane’s departure is false, and an outright fallacy. Mane’s departure should not be attributed to Liverpool’s poor form this season.
I’m saying this because since Mane left Liverpool for Bayern Munich during the summer window, he has had a good start to life and has also produced some great moments, which included a brace in the 7-0 demolition of VfL Bochum. Liverpool, on the other hand, have become a shadow of themselves, with a loss in their last UCL match against Napoli.
In fact, Liverpool have won just two of their last seven games, drawing three and losing two, and they currently sit seventh and third in the EPL and UCL, respectively, which for me is very poor form, leading to many concluding that they missed Sadio Mane. I have even heard that if Mane had been available, Liverpool would have avoided both losses and would have sat in a comfortable position on the table.
In my opinion, football is more complex and way bigger than a single player. I honestly believe that Mane’s departure does not in anyway affect the results Liverpool have had so far this season. Even his presence wouldn’t have helped Liverpool any better.
The fact is that Mane was with Liverpool in the 2020–21 season when Liverpool also struggled at the earlier stages of the competition and eventually ended in 3rd position with 69 points, 17 points adrift of Man City, who won the league with 86 points. Of course, Sadio Mane’s presence in the team did not prevent Liverpool from performing below expectations that season, and I see no reason why it should be different now.
Besides, the claim that Liverpool struggled due to Mane’s departure does not give Jurgen Klopp any credit for the great work he has done at Liverpool since he arrived. Because the way I see it, this Liverpool squad is a force to reckon with because of Jurgen Klopp’s tactical dexterity.
It is Klopp’s brilliance that has made his players elevate their standards to the level they are now, and if there is anyone to be blamed for Liverpool’s slow start to life this season, it is Jurgen Klopp who deserves to be blamed and certainly not Sadio Mane.
Like I said, Mane was a very good player, but attributing Liverpool’s slow start to his departure is a fallacy that should be shunned and dismissed, because it holds no water. No one player is too big or important for the club.
