'I saw a change in Mane's attitude at Liverpool – it's why he had to be sold'

Two years on from iconic winger Sadio Mane's departure, Liverpool still haven't found a true replacement.

The clock is ticking on this summer’s transfer window, and new Anfield boss Arne Slot’s dealings have gone far from smoothly. They are the only Premier League side yet to make a single signing, and to make matters worse, they’ve been rebuked by the small pool of talent targeted – namely Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

The club reportedly wishes to recruit a reinforcement out wide this window, too, but Newcastle ace Anthony Gordon came in too pricey. Mane, 32, may not go amiss at Anfield currently given their lack of new options. However, his sale was one that Reds legend Graeme Souness saw necessary.

Souness believed Mane lost his edge after securing the Premier League title under Jurgen Klopp in 2020. And despite him still having years of service left to give the Reds, and perhaps Slot, it was inevitable he be sold.

As Liverpool fell to Mikel Arteta's Arsenal in 2020, squandering any hopes of Klopp's side breaking the 100-point mark having wrapped up the league, Mane was involved in an altercation with Gunners defender Rob Holding.

The Senegalese forward came away from the tussle smiling, despite his side's eventual 2-1 defeat. And it was this frivolous attitude that saw Mane catch criticism from the former manager.

Souness told Sky Sport post-match: "A telltale sign – Mane’s had a bit of a wrestle up with Holding a couple of times. Coming off, Mane has a big smile on his face.

"Normal circumstances Mane goes to war with you, he’s not smiling at you. He can’t wait for the second half to start to get after you again, and that tells you where they are – they are in their armchairs.

"I’m not saying they've been in their armchairs from the first minute to the last, but there’s been periods in the game where they’ve drifted."

Though the pandemic had an impact, the following 2020/21 season was the self-described 'worst' of Mane's career. A year later, he bounced back in what was his last season at Anfield, netting 23 goals in all competitions, 16 of those coming in the league, as Klopp's side won the FA Cup and League Cup.

Mane departed for Bayern Munich that summer, with Colombian star Luis Diaz brought in the year prior. He spent just a single season in Germany before making a big money move to Saudi Arabia, joining former team-mates Fabinho and Roberto Firmino out there where he remains to this day, partnering Cristiano Ronaldo in attack at Al Nassr.

Diaz has shown glimpses in the Premier League he can fill the void left by Mane, but not necessarily on a consistent basis. Meanwhile, other attacking stars such as Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota are often used centrally. There is also the matter of Mohamed Salah’s contract expiry next summer.

Winning the lot may have stripped the fire from the Senegalese star's belly, and led to his sale. But Liverpool are currently struggling in the winger market without him. One of their objectives, which still frustratingly lingers, is finding a long-term solution for the void left by the great Mane.