Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has warned Liverpool that selling Sadio Mane until Bayern Munich could have a ‘huge impact’ on the team next season.
Liverpool rejected two bids from Bayern before agreeing a £35m fee for the Senegal attacker, who has signed a three-year deal with the German giants.
Mane has been one of Liverpool’s key players in recent seasons, scoring 120 goals in 269 games since his £34 million move from Southampton in 2016.
The 30-year-old enjoyed considerable individual and collective success at Anfield, winning two Champions League titles under Jurgen Klopp, as well as the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup.
Mane’s Senegal team-mate Mendy believes it is a ‘big loss’ for both the Premier League and Liverpool, warning Klopp that his departure could affect his team during the 2022-23 season.
In his last season at Anfield, Mane scored 23 goals in all competitions, helping Liverpool win two domestic trophies, reach the Champions League final and finish one point behind Premier League champions Manchester City.
Asked about Mane’s departure from Liverpool, Chelsea star Mendy said: “I think it’s a big loss for the Premier League, both in terms of quality and in person.
“We have lost a great person and I hope for him that he will enjoy the Bundesliga.
‘He is also a great loss’ [to Liverpool] because of his quality, the impact he makes and also because he is an example for the young players. If you lose someone like that, it can have a huge impact.’
After Mane moved to Bayern Munich, Liverpool boss Klopp described him as one of the club’s ‘best players’.
He said: “One of the best Liverpool players ever leaves and we have to recognize how important this is. He leaves with our gratitude and our love.
And yes, he is leaving at a time when he is one of the best players in world football.
“I fully respect his decision and I’m sure our supporters do too. If you like LFC you have to like Sadio – non negotiable.
“It is possible to do this while accepting that our loss is Bayern’s win.
“We wish him nothing but success in every game he plays, unless of course it’s against us. His star will continue to rise, I don’t doubt it.’
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