Liverpool legend Sadio Mane could make shock return to Anfield as part of 'drastic shake-up'

Sadio Mane could be in line for a shock return to Liverpool this summer, according to reports in Germany.

Mane, 31, chose to leave Liverpool last summer to join Bayern Munich in a deal worth up to £35m.

His departure came just weeks after Liverpool's defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League final and was viewed at the time as a major loss, with the Senegal international later going on to finish second in the 2022 Ballon d'Or standings behind Lionel Messi.

But his move to Germany hasn't gone to plan.

Tasked with filling the void left by Robert Lewandowski, Mane has managed only seven Bundesliga goals in his debut season in German football.

He made a bright start at Bayern but was then sidelined for several months with a leg injury in November, which forced the Senegal international out of the World Cup in Qatar.

After making his return in February, Mane was then involved in an alleged bust-up with teammate Leroy Sane after Bayern's Champions League defeat to Manchester City in April.

He was subsequently suspended by his club and, after returning to the fold, was forced to play a bit-part role in the remainder of the season as Bayern claimed the Bundesliga title in dramatic circumstances on the final day of the season.

Mane to return to Liverpool?

German outlet BILD (via the Liverpool Echo) are reporting that Bayern Munich chiefs are planning a 'drastic shake-up' after almost losing out on the title to Borussia Dortmund.

Club chariman Herbert Hainer axed CEO Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic immediately after the title had been won in a ruthless cull which could extend to Mane.

Meanwhile, ex-Man City winger Sane and former Arsenal star Serge Gnabry have also been named as players who could leave Bayern this summer.

While Mane is rightfully viewed as a legend at Liverpool, having scored 120 goals in 269 appearances for the club, it is unclear if the Merseysiders will make a move for the Senegalese forward this summer.

Jurgen Klopp already has a number of world-class attacking options in his squad - Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo.

Liverpool's main focus on the transfer market is in the midfield department, with the club close to completing a deal for Brighton star Alexis Mac Allister.

They are also interested in several other targets, including Nice's Khephren Thuram and Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone.

And it is unlikely the club will be able to afford Mane in addition to the several new midfielders Klopp is keen to bring to Anfield.