Jurgen Klopp admits Luis Diaz's arrival at Anfield has "affected" Sadio Mane's game.
Mane, 30, is used to playing on the left of Klopp's front three, with Roberto Firmino or Diogo Jota playing in a central role and Mohamed Salah slotting in down the right. But since Diaz's arrival, Mane has often been deployed as a No9 to accommodate Diaz.
The impact has been obvious. Mane scored twice in Liverpool's 3-2 FA Cup win against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon while playing in a central role. He's also bagged against Norwich, Leeds and West Ham in recent weeks when starting down the middle.
"I've known Sadio nearly six years, as far as I have known him he's never needed competition to be the best version of himself," said Klopp on Monday. "I'm not sure bringing in Luis affected that part of his game, but playing centre suits Sadio very well as well."
Diaz has struggled for goals since joining Liverpool from Porto - scoring just three in his 13 appearances to date - yet many have praised his impact at Anfield. The Colombian has linked up well Mane, Salah, Firmino and Jota - despite transferring mid-season.
Klopp was speaking to the press ahead of Liverpool's Premier League game against Manchester United Anfield on Tuesday evening. A win for the Reds will see them jump ahead of City in first, with Pep Guardiola's team facing Brighton at home 24 hours later.
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Liverpool are currently one point behind City in the title race. Klopp's side are aiming to become the first English team in history to win the quadruple after lifting the EFL Cup, reaching the FA Cup final and qualifying for the last four of the Champions League.
"It's a big game, a massive game, two of the biggest clubs in the world," added Klopp. "Always we have to learn to deal with it. Some players had to learn how to deal with it. This time it's an incredible important game again for both teams."
Klopp is expecting a tough game due to United's league position. The Red Devils are currently fifth in the table, three points behind Tottenham in fourth. Arsenal and West Ham remain in the hunt for Champions League football.
"The Man United we will face, they will go for it," insisted Klopp. "They want to go to the Champions League. It will be an intense 90 minutes. We have to make sure they don't take our points to get there.
"We have had to learn to deal with playing Man United. Some players had to learn how to deal with it. This time it's an incredibly important game again for both teams. That says it all. Both teams are fighting."
On Liverpool's busy schedule, Klopp said: "As long as you are successful, you don't have the time. It is pretty demanding. I would love to have more time but that is wishful thinking. The boys are always ready to prepare as good as they can."
