Mane to Marseille

His comments may have been tongue in cheek, but what are Sadio's plans, and what if Liverpool aren't in them?

Well, given his price tag, Marseille is unlikely, but our Sadio has been a hard man to read of late. Just a joke or a real statement of his intent to leave.

The arrival of Luis Diaz in January increased competition for places in the front three, often pushing Mane into a central role, rather than his preferred position on the left. And now, with the imminent arrival of Darwin Nunez from Benfica, the competition is increasing. But Mane, ever the professional, adapted and even flourished in the role. However, his body language and responses to speculation over his future in recent weeks tell a story of a man with one eye on the door.

For some, Mane at 30 is entering a period of his career where the end of his peak years are fast approaching. While his game is characterised by much more than just his pace, it is a key facet, and one which will likely decline in the coming seasons. So, in reality, the Premier League, being arguably one of the most frantic and physical of top divisions in the world football, doesn’t present a long term option for a player of Mane’s style, nor Mo Salah’s, for that matter.

However, despite moving into the final phase of his career, Mane still has a good couple of years at this level. His proven adaptability, humble and consistently professional attitude ,and wealth of experience are invaluable qualities. Yet, so often left in Mo Sarah’s shadow by fans and critics alike, unfairly so, in my opinion, combined with the arrival of younger competition, doubt over his position as an automatic first choice at Liverpool must be creeping in, if not already well set in.

While Mo Salah often misfired in the latter stages of the season, Mane remained key to the team’s success. But the praise fell short of that lavished on Salah, even during his baron spell in front of goal. And players need to feel loved.

A move to the Bundesliga with Bayern seems baffling to many Liverpool fans. Why leave a club sitting amongst world football royalty, playing against top opposition week in, week out, for one what is viewed by many as a one team league. Where’s the challenge for Mane? Perhaps Lewandowski’s departure presents just the challenge. Arguably the greatest striker in world football for a number of seasons, his departure will leave a hole in the hearts of the Bavarian club’s fans, one that will be extremely difficult to fill, but a challenge Mane would no doubt relish.

In many ways, Bayern is the ideal fit for Mane, a style of play he is used to, a familiar language and region from days with Red Bull Salzburg and the opportunity to be the main man, with an almost certain guarantee of silverware.

Klopp and Liverpool Football Club really can do no more to convince Mane of his worth to the team. But if he has to go, my hope is that he none of his actions to make it happen sour the great memories we have. Already, Liverpool fans have shown some discontent with his comments about a move to Marseille and the wishes of senegalese fans for him to leave the club, no matter how tongue in cheek those comments may have been. My fear is that, for my money, the greatest, most consistent player of the Klopp era, will leave under the same cloud which Coutinho left. I hope I’m wrong.