Izuchukwu OkosiLiverpool’s manager Jürgen Klopp has lavished plaudits on Sadio Mane who left the Reds after six years at the club and has been unveiled as a Bayern Munich player but admitted that it is a great loss to the English heavyweights.
Klopp in an interview by the Liverpool Echo as monitored by Prime Business Africa described the Senegalese as a “modern day icon” at the club.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelMane penned a three-year deal with the Bavarians until 2025 on a £31.5m move where he will earn triple his £100,000 weekly wages whilst at Liverpool.
“It’s a big moment. There is no point in anyone trying to pretend otherwise. One of Liverpool’s greatest ever players is leaving and we must acknowledge how significant this is,” Klopp began.
“He leaves with our gratitude and our love. He leaves with his status among the greats guaranteed. And, yes, he leaves in a moment where he is one of the best players in world football.
“But we must not dwell on what we now lose, instead celebrate what we were privileged to have.
“The goals he scored, the trophies he won; a legend, for sure, but also a modern-day Liverpool icon.
“Since he first stepped through the door, he made us better. If someone had told us in that moment what he would go on to contribute and achieve for this club, I’m not sure it would have been possible to comprehend in that moment. Not the scale of it at least. Sadio made it all possible.
“To be that good for such a sustained period and continuously improve season on season – no matter how high he set his own bar in the previous one – is an example to any player anywhere on the planet that professionalism and dedication leads to reward.
Klopp clearly did not want to see the current African Footballer of the Year depart in his prime but has given him his blessings.
“I respect completely his decision and I‘m sure our supporters do also. If you love LFC, you have to love Sadio – non-negotiable. It is possible to do this while accepting our loss is Bayern’s gain.
“We wish him nothing but success in every match he plays in, unless, of course, it’s against us. His star will continue to rise, I have no doubts.
“I remember last season I was asked, in an interview or Q&A from memory, to describe Sadio in three words. I said at the time it’s not possible to do this.
“If I was to try I’d need to be allowed multiple attempts – because there are so many ways you can describe him using three words.
“World-class player. True club legend! Ideal role model!
“The perfect teammate. Compassionate, caring person!
Klopp finished his farewell speech on an emotional note.
“But the three words that feel the most appropriate today are also the hardest to say. ‘Will miss you!’”
Bayern bought Mane as a potential replacement for wantaway Robert Lewandowski albeit the Polish striker is being convinced to withdraw his transfer request.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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