Former Liverpool star Mane gives verdict on Klopp future and their Premier League position

Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane is convinced that former club Liverpool are in safe hands with Jurgen Klopp and that he is the “right man”.

The Reds have been very disappointing this campaign after narrowly missing out on an unprecedented Quadruple at the end of last term.

Liverpool are currently seventh in the Premier League, nine points off fourth-placed Tottenham but they do have two games in hand on Spurs.

Although the dip in performance of their midfield has been blamed for many of the Reds’ problems, the decision to sell Mane to Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window has also impacted Klopp’s side.

There was little Klopp or the Reds could do after Mane expressed his desire to leave Liverpool before completing a deal that could rise to £32.5m.

Mane still looks out for the Liverpool results and he reckons Klopp is still the best man to rebuild the Reds into another great team.

The Senegal international told German publication BILD: “Liverpool will be back, I’m convinced they will overcome this situation.

“They had many injuries and tough tests, but Jurgen Klopp is definitely the right man. He will lead Liverpool back up, from this season – the players love him.”

On moving to Bayern, Mane added: “When I decided to leave Liverpool, I only wanted to go to Bayern, to the Bundesliga.

“I know the league from my time in Salzburg, I didn’t watch Premier League back then, but the Bundesliga. Bayern was very attractive to me back then. The history of the club is attractive – that was the case for me when I decided to move to Munich.”

Liverpool boss Klopp accepts that this is a crucial week if they want to propel themselves into the top-four mix with two home matches against Wolves and Manchester United.

Klopp told a press conference on Tuesday: “It’s 45 points [left to play for]. It would be a really good moment (to go on a run). Yes, you can imagine, that’s exactly what we want to do.

“We have got seven points from these three games. The last one we drew and I know I said it’s the same game like we played before but without scoring and people said ‘But it’s the most important stuff’. I know. You cannot change the other facts as well.

“We have to force it as well but we have to play, enjoy what we are doing – that’s really important.

“It’s a super important week. We cannot ignore that. We have two home games. I would love to give the season a little push in this week.”

Klopp is hopeful that winger Luiz Diaz could return to Liverpool training in the next couple of weeks after the Colombia international has been absent through injury since October.

“I’m positive about him that there’s a good chance to have a real impact in 10, 11, 12 games maybe. We will see how long it exactly takes,” said Klopp.

“It’s estimated that maybe next week he will be warming up with the team and then maybe a week later being in team training. That would be cool.

“But you always have to wait. On Tuesday I saw a very intense session (for Diaz), a lot of change of direction and stuff like this.

“If there is no reaction from that then he can make the next step. Then I think he is not too far away.”

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