Sadio Mane has left Liverpool after being sold to Bayern Munich. Most Reds fans mourned when it happened. Mane played an important role at Anfield. Senegal forward has joined the Bundesliga champions after six glorious years with the Premier League club.
Potent Combination in Attack
Mane formed a potent combination with Mo Salah in the Liverpool attack. Interestingly, Mane helped Senegal to beat Salah-led Egypt not once but twice in crucial matches. The first time was in the final of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. The second was in the qualifier for the Qatar 2024 World Cup. There are strong rumours that Mo Salah could follow in Mane’s footsteps and exit the club.
Should Liverpool Keep Salah?
There are those who think Mane was more important to the team than Mo Salah. In the absence of Mane, Salah would be expected to lead Liverpool’s attack. But should Liverpool hang on to Salah? Perhaps not. Salah has spent four years with the club, leading them to an elusive Premier League title in the process. However, there is good reason to think Liverpool should sell Salah to the highest bidder.
Salah Wanted to Do It All on His Own
Salah has scored a prolific number of goals, season after season. In the recently concluded Premier League season, he aggregated 23 goals, Spurs forward Son Heung-min. However, he has drawn the ire of fans who feel Salah is too selfish. They think Liverpool would have had more goals if Salah hadn’t wanted to do everything on his own. They believe that Salah should have passed on occasion to a teammate in a better position.
Rival Teams Aim to Keep Salah Quiet
In fact, there is an overdependence on Salah to beat rival teams. When Salah is not available, there is better teamwork, leading to more aesthetic football and a more effective attack. When Salah plays, rival teams have a clear plan of action. They simply focus on keeping him quiet. However, if Liverpool began the next season with three new players leading the attack, rival teams would need to reformulate their strategy.
Nunez, Diaz, Jota, Firmino Could Be the New Stars
While Darwin Nunez has replaced Mane at Liverpool, the club’s fans have also welcomed Luis Diaz wholeheartedly. Diego Jota has grown as a player since arriving at Anfield. Liverpool also has Roberto Firmino, another player with great potential. These players could combine effectively to make Salah redundant.
Time for Liverpool to Move On
Liverpool could do well to take a leaf from Man City’s book. City bid goodbye to Sergio Aguero and reclaimed the league title last season after playing some brilliant football. Salah is 30 years old, and his transfer value is unlikely to go up with time.
Liverpool could get an optimal return if they sold him while he is still in prime form. The club is reportedly deadlocked with the player over a renewal of his contract that is set to expire in 2024.
In the past, Liverpool has survived the departure of several brilliant players such as Owen, Fowler, Gerrard, Suarez and Coutinho, among others. With his team-building ability, Jurgen Klopp has proved to be the most important factor. Rather than worry about Salah’s potential departure, Liverpool fans should be concerned about the day Klopp decides to move on.
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