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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Kadeem Simmonds

Liverpool told they already have 'terrifying' replacement for Sadio Mane

Pundit Charlie Nicholas believes Liverpool already have their replacement if Sadio Mane leaves this summer.

Mane has been the subject of two failed Bayern Munich bids but it is expected that a third will be lodged as Liverpool hold out for £42.75m.

His sale would leave the Reds with a gaping hole in their attacking trio, such is the Senegalese star's importance to the way Jurgen Klopp's side plays.

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Benfica striker Darwin Nunez is close to joining but he is seen as a more central forward whereas Mane has mainly been deployed on the left. And, with Divock Origi having departed the club and Takumi Minamino also likely to be on the way out, there has been speculation that Liverpool could be forced to dip further into the market.

But Arsenal legend Nicolas believes that January signing Luis Diaz, as well as Diogo Jota, are more than capable of stepping up if Mane leaves as expected.

“Diogo Jota and Luiz Díaz can definitely fill the gap left by Mane," Nicholas told BonusCodeBets. "Jota’s energy levels, without being supremely technical, are breathtaking.

“Luis Díaz reminds me so much of Luis Suarez, he’s terrifying. It’s non-stop pace and movement. There’ll be days that it doesn’t work but these guys only need a couple of minutes on a football pitch to make the difference and Jurgen Klopp knows that.

“Over the last year or two, Liverpool haven’t spent that much. They spent big on Allison and Virgil Van Dijk, but the way Liverpool do business, in terms of the low fees they pay for most players, is breathtaking.

“If both Salah and Mane left, it’d be problematic, but all Liverpool fans would say 'In Jurgen We Trust' and he would bring another one into the party.”

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