Rush highlights ‘big concern’ for Liverpool amid Mane exit talk – ‘Man City are looking formidable’

Lewis Oldham
Rush speaks on Mane

Ian Rush has admitted that talk of Sadio Mane leaving Liverpool is a “big conern” as they need to strengthen to keep up with Man City.

Liverpool finished a point behind Man City in the Premier League in 2021/22. The latter have already signed Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez ahead of next season.

Pep Guardiola’s side are also understood to be interested in Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips. 


Premier League piracy is endemic but the 3pm blackout isn’t the issue


Liverpool meanwhile look set to lose Mane this summer. He is entering the final year of his contract and he is keen to join Bayern Munich.

The attacker was involved in 18 goals in 34 Premier League appearances in 2021/22. Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino are also out of contract in 2023.

Rush has acknowledged that it “would be a big disappointment” if Mane, Salah or Firmino leave:

“What Liverpool need to be doing right now is strengthening their squad, and letting Mane go isn’t going to do that,” Rush told gambling. com (via Liverpool Echo).

“We need to prepare ourselves for how strong Manchester City are going to be next year because they’re already looking formidable.

“They’re going to be stronger, so we have to be stronger too. It’s a big concern because nobody wants Mane to leave, especially with the form he’s been in this year.

“I’m still hopeful that all three will stay – Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino – and I’m sure Jurgen Klopp feels the same, so let’s hope something can be sorted out.

“If any of them were to leave, it would be a big disappointment, but we’d just have to look to the future regardless.”

Elsewhere, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Liverpool ‘have been following’ Villarreal attacker Arnaut Danjuma since the January transfer window.

“Danjuma, this boy from Villarreal, he played number nine this season,” Romano said on the Here We Go podcast.

“He did really great with Villarreal, he has a release clause in his contract it’s around €45m (£38m), maybe a bit more, and so could be an opportunity in the market.

“Liverpool have been following him since January, let’s see if they will jump into it.”