Jurgen Klopp has admitted Liverpool were powerless to stopping Sadio Mane from leaving Anfield following his summer transfer to Bayern Munich.
The Senegal international, 30, joined Bayern last month after the two clubs agreed a £35million fee, ending his six-year spell at Liverpool. Mane played a crucial role in the club's success under Klopp, scoring 120 goals to help them win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
The Reds were prepared for Mane's departure as they signed prolific Benfica forward Darwin Nunez before his move to Bayern was complete. The Uruguay international, 23, scored 34 goals last season - including two against Liverpool in the Champions League.
Liverpool have also signed Portuguese youth international Fabio Carvalho, 18, from Fulham and they brought in Luis Diaz from Porto in January. The latter was labelled as one of the signings of last season, helping the Reds win an FA Cup and EFL Cup double.
Klopp and his colleagues were initially hoping to keep Mane on their books but were forced to look elsewhere after the forward refused to extend his contract, which was due to expire in June 2023. Yet Klopp does not hold a grudge against the player for his exit.
"When Sadio told us he wanted to move on, then we just knew we had to replace him," Klopp told Sky Sports. "He's a pretty good player! Thankfully we did that already a little bit in the winter by bringing in Luis and now Darwin as well. Fabio is a very exciting player... these kind of things.
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"So I'm really looking forward to it [the new season]. It was always clear that changes had to be made and I know for our supporters it was like: 'Oh my God, he [Mane] left. How can they do this?' But I'm really excited about the new opportunity we've got."
Liverpool's Premier League campaign gets underway against Fulham at Craven Cottage on August 6. Before then, they've got friendlies against Manchester United, Crystal Palace, RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg and Strasbourg. They also take on Manchester City in the Community Shield at the King Power on July 30 - the first trophy of the new season.
Speaking to the press ahead of Liverpool's game against Man Utd in Bangkok on Tuesday, Klopp said: "[I expect] a good season, a season where we can improve. We have space for improvement. It’s not about how many games you can win, it’s about: how can we play? You can always do better and that’s what we will try."
Klopp also claimed he was confident the Reds can win more trophies over the next 12 months. "[I'm] as confident as possible," he said. "You never know obviously but I saw today on the plane a squad full of quality. You always need a little bit of luck, how we all know, if you want to win a trophy.
"But to play a good season you need first and foremost consistency, that’s what it’s all about and that’s what we will try. I have no doubt about the quality of the boys. We brought in new players – yes, we lost a few players – but we brought in new players; if you want, fresh blood, really helpful. There are no places already sorted, who will play where.
"The boys will make pressure, which is important. We have five subs from now on in the Premier League as well – we have to get used to that, we have to adapt to that. I’m really looking forward to it. There are no guarantees in football but there’s a good chance that we play another good season, I would say."
