Liverpool's decision to transfer the Senegalese legend was criticized earlier in the season, but in recent months plans for the Reds' future have become clear.
When Sadio Mane left Anfield last summer, it was fair to say it felt like the beginning of the end of an era for Liverpool fans. The Senegal forward left Merseyside as a modern-day legend and it is clear his trophy-laden fate will be difficult to follow.
In fact, in the first months after Darwin Núñez arrived from Benfica, the Uruguayan initially had difficulty competing with the man he replaced. The combination of overall team-wide discomfort following the mental and physical toll of quadruple tilt in the previous campaign and style issues meant the $79 million signing (£64m / £72m) is struggling to reach the level he has created in Portugal during that time. the first months of his magic. It should be noted, however, that Mané has certainly not shown his full potential in Germany since his summer move, with it being equally evident at the weekend he was withdrawn from the midfield. in a 1-2 loss at home to Bayer Leverkusen. The striker had started well at the Allianz Arena, scoring 11 goals in 23 games, but a serious injury to fibula in the run-up to the World Cup in December caused him to miss the tournament and kept him out of action until end of February. On top of that, the Senegal international is having a hard time recreating his early season form and has failed to score a goal in his first five appearances since returning.
His woes following his return to fitness have been compounded by criticism of his playing style, amid reports by Sport1 journalist Kerry Hau that the 30-year-old lacks "speed and boom" that characterized him at Anfield. , with his ability when the team is in possession is also being considered. According to him, coaching staff and club officials at Bayern Munich have been disappointed with Mane's contributions so far this season, with the former Kop's favorite player being dismissed. is "losing too many duels". problem. "During training".
Hau stated in his piece that Mané has been an awkward fit for Julian Nagelsmann's side, with his perceived lack of suitability in a couple of positions making him look like a 'foreign body' for the German champions. He explained:
"Mané looks visibly uncomfortable, like a foreign body, as he has far less space in possession of the ball [on the left wing]. He is also lost in the center-forward position, and also often runs offside (18 times in 18 Bundesliga games)."
Sadio Mané's first season in Germany has been mixed and his fortunes help justify the signing of one Liverpool rising star smiles
Sadio Mané's first season at Bayern Munich has been mixed and his fortunes help justify the signing of one Liverpool rising star smiles
When one compares his fortunes with that of Núñez, the Senegalese superstar may have been more impressive initially following his move to the Bundesliga but it would be fair to say that the tables have turned in 2023. There is no doubt that Mané has been hampered by injury and, if his exploits at Liverpool are anything to go by, he will eventually turn around negative perceptions of his abilities, but the impact of his replacement at Anfield as part of a new-look front three in recent weeks does suggest that Jürgen Klopp may have made a couple of correct calls in the summer.
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