Ralf Rangnick Once Criticised Liverpool Player For His Poor Attitude, He Didn't Hold Back

Ralf Rangnick has already sung the praises of a number of the Premier League's best players and managers. But there is one Liverpool star who he has said less than favourable things about - and it's not their similarly enthusiastic German manager Jürgen Klopp.

When Rangnick was director of football at Red Bull Salzburg in 2014, he was already starting to lose the club's best players to bigger clubs in Europe. One such player still trying to force his way out was Sadio Mané.

The Senegal international has since shot to stardom at Southampton, before reaching new and incredible heights at Liverpool.

Image credit: PA

Mané wanted out of Austria in favour of a move to Borussia Dortmund. Their manager at the time was of course Klopp, who he stars under today. He ended up moving away from Salzburg, but not to Dortmund. Instead, he joined Southampton who were flying high in the Premier League at the time.

Soon after the wide player tried to force through his move, Rangnick spoke of the situation at a 2014 IFA Conference.

"We couldn't prevent the development with Sadio Mané. He didn't play, he didn't turn up the day before we left for Malmo. He didn't even show up for the training, because he was so desperate to leave the club.

"Mané was afraid that nobody would come up with the right offer. Therefore, we had to play without him, another two or three were injured, and we lost the second leg 3-0."

Considering where he is now, Mané will be delighted that he did end up at Southampton. Poor form at Dortmund might have prevented him ever getting the chance to star in a Liverpool frontline alongside Mohamed Salah. It turned out perfectly for him.

Rangnick's model at most clubs has inevitably involved signing players cheaply and selling them on for a profit. But at Manchester United - one of the world's biggest clubs - he has a different challenge. It remains to be seen how he will fare.

One thing seems certain though. He won't be getting Sadio Mané back any time soon.

Topics: Liverpool, Football, Manchester United, Ralf Rangnick, Sadio Mane

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