"Mane needs no competition to be at the top": Klopp says as Diaz comparison talks increase

Jurgen Klopp has come to the defence of one of his longest serving players, Sadio Mane, after talks of Luis Diaz competition were brought to his notice.

2021 African Cup of Nations winner Mane has been with Liverpool since 2016 after moving from Southampton. In that time, he has scored 115 goals in 259 appearances for the club, winning a number of trophies, the Premier League golden boot and breaking a number of records along the way.

He has played with a number of brilliant attackers in that time, including Mohamed Salah, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota and most recently, Luis Diaz.

The Colombian joined the club in January from Portuguese Primera Liga side FC Porto and has slotted in seamlessly into the side.

He has been preferred over Mane on the left wing in a few games, and Mane has had to move to the centre of attack to accommodate him on the left in some other games.

Mane, who had been struggling in the Premier League prior to Diaz's arrival, has suddenly found a new lease of life which has been attributed by the media and fans to Diaz's presence in the squad.

Klopp has now debunked those claims, stating that Mane is an elite player and needed no competition to be at his very best which Liverpool are currently enjoying.

The 54-year-old German tactician insists Mane always gives his best and that sometimes the positions of the players can be changed to accommodate both of them.

"I have known Sadio for nearly six years, as far as I know, he never needed any kind of competition to try to be the best version of himself," Klopp said in the press conference before their Premier League tie against Manchester United on Tuesday.

"He played for a long time pretty much all games when he was fit and performed on an incredibly high level consistently. Bringing in Luis [Diaz] I am not sure it affected that part of his game, I don't know."

Klopp maintains Diaz signing was not to replace Mane

Reports in the media claimed that Liverpool signed Diaz, 25, to replace Mane, 30, whose contract at Anfield expires in 2023. Klopp debunked those claims at the press conference.

"That was not the reason for bringing in Luis," the former Borussia Dortmund manager said.

"Playing in the centre obviously suits Sadio very well as well. He scored goals, so important, from the left wing but he can play the centre as well," he added.

Klopp then talked about Mane's participation in the AFCON which was a different game to the Premier League. The German claimed that the forward needed some time to readapt, and that he has done so well. He also made sure to reiterate that Diaz's presence is not the reason for Mane's form.

"Sadio [Mane] as well had some physical struggles since he came back; he didn't feel it but we could see he could not use his immense physicality week in, week out, or every three days – that was the problem," Klopp continued.

"I really felt before the game against City 'okay, that looks like Sadio [Mane] physically' and that is why he could play the game he played.

"Very important, he was super-difficult to defend and very helpful and incredibly important in our defending because the first goal he scored you only can score if you try to get there and he did that and you only do this run if you feel fresh enough to do it.

"No, I don’t think Luis [Diaz] is the reason Sadio scored four goals [in his last four matches] but somehow maybe because Luis [Diaz] obviously can keep the last line pretty busy that then opens up gaps for other players."

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