Pundit Jermaine Jenas has earmarked one particular Liverpool transfer decision as the worst they have ever made.
The Reds have not started the season consistently, picking up just ten points and two wins from seven matches, with many already believing they are already out of the title race.
They sit 11 points adrift of leaders Arsenal, with Manchester City looking utterly imperious after their 6-3 win over Manchester United.
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It has all come crashing down from the side who nearly pulled off an unprecedented quadruple just several months ago, and former Tottenham midfielder Jenas thinks that one decision in the summer has made a lot of difference.
“Look I think it’s really simple with Liverpool, selling Mane is the biggest mistake they’ve ever made. When you talk about the pressing, nobody set the press, set the example or worked as hard as Mane did,” Jenas told Vibe with Five.
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“They got themselves into a bit of a pickle from a contractual point of view. Their business has knocked them for six a bit. Darwin Nunez is not working, how did they not highlight their midfield? Their recruitment this year has been poor.”
It is hard not to agree with Jenas’ statement that Mane is a huge miss for Liverpool.
He scored 120 goals in 269 matches, including 22 in all competitions last season.
However, to say it is the club's mistake is a little unjust. It was made clear by Mane in 2021 to the hierarchy that he wanted to leave at the end of the season, and he still gave 100% to help the Reds to an incredible campaign.
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Bayern Munich swooped for the 30-year-old, and the deal was done swiftly due to the incredible service Mane gave the Reds across his six years.
His high-profile replacement, Darwin Nunez, also hasn’t been given enough time to say that he isn’t working.
Despite his red card against Crystal Palace, he has always looked dangerous in a Red shirt so far.
Mane’s hole needs to be filled, but to pinpoint that as the genuine reason why Liverpool aren’t firing on all cylinders would be a little simplistic.
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Topics: Liverpool, Sadio Mane, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours
Chris Stonadge