Pundit cites Sadio Mane after ‘huge’ Liverpool development
Frank McAvennie has claimed Sadio Mane is a “huge miss” for Liverpool after their 4-1 defeat to Napoli in their Champions League group stage opener.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker said Jurgen Klopp’s job will be safe despite a poor start to the season.
Speaking to club media (7 September), Klopp said his side’s performance was “disappointing” and they should have “played a better game”.
The Reds boss added that he takes full responsibility for the problems within his team.
Liverpool have recorded two wins from seven games so far this season.
The Merseyside club are seventh in the Premier League.
They sit six points behind current league leaders Arsenal.
When asked if the poor run could put pressure on Klopp’s position at Anfield, McAvennie told Football Insider: “No I don’t think so.
“It’s a big miss, just the one player, Mane is a huge miss. Nunez, who they have brought in to replace him, got sent off which was just stupid.
“Mane was a huge influence. [Mohamed] Salah hasn’t hit the ground running and that will be because Mane is gone.
“This is why he’s [Klopp] on big bucks, he’ll sort that out.”
On 22 June Liverpool confirmed that Mane had left the club to join Bayern Munich.
The forward made 269 appearances for the Reds across all competitions during his six seasons at Anfield.
During those outings he scored 120 goals and 38 assists.
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