“He wasn’t loved”- Jurgen Klopp blamed for the departure of Liverpool star who left the club in the summer

“He wasn’t loved”- Jurgen Klopp blamed for the departure of Liverpool star who left the club in the summer

Jurgen Klopp’s role in Sadio Mane’s decision to leave Liverpool for Bayern Munich this summer has been questioned by Salif Diao.

The Reds have had an unusual start to the year and just don’t seem like themselves.

There are numerous explanations behind that.

As a result of playing so many games the previous season and Klopp’s aggressive style, Liverpool’s players may be exhausted.

Possibly missing so many players through injury is taking its toll on Liverpool – or maybe they’re really missing Sadio Mane.

One player does not necessarily make a team, but the loss of a player of outstanding quality has an impact.

When Mane signed from Southampton in 2016, he was key to Liverpool team and one of the first names on Klopp’s teamsheet.

The Senegal star was actually the first major acquisition of the Klopp era and offered Liverpool the pressing and intensity they were looking for.

Sadio Mane (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Sadly, Mane decided to depart Liverpool this past summer as he approached the end of his contract with the club.

Mane left Anfield with 120 goals and 49 assists, leaving the Reds stranded as he moved to Bayern Munich.

Darwin Nunez was brought to Anfield as a replacement for the former Southampton man, but the Uruguayan is yet to impress.

Mane’s exit continues to be a source of discussion and former Liverpool man Salif Diao has now had his say.

Diao, just like Mane was a Senegal international star and ended up at Anfield, though Mane had much much more success

Diao has told the Liverpool Echo that Mane just wanted a change and didn’t feel the love he really needed during his time at Liverpool

You may think that would mean him being in the shadow of Mohamed Salah, but Diao suggests Mane’s problem was with Klopp himself.

“I think he has been here for a couple of years and I think at some point he thought he did not have the love that he needed really, here at Anfield,” said Diao. “I’m not talking about the fans, for him,I think it was more with the manager.”

“Things weren’t really going on as they should be so that’s why he decided to go for a new challenge. I think as a top player, every time you stay 4-5 years at a top club, sometimes it’s good to go for a new challenge,” he added.

In other news, Liverpool transfer: £103m Red’s target Jude Bellingham to refuse Dortmund contract after request from interested club amid strong Liverpool links