After six years on Merseyside, Sadio Mane's time at Liverpool is coming to an end.
Bayern Munich's interest in the Senegalese international has been established for a number of months - and they have now agreed a fee to land his signature.
Now 30-years-old, Mane will likely spend the final years of his career in Germany, with Liverpool signing Darwin Nunez as his replacement earlier this week. The Uruguayan striker has big boots to fill if he's to perform as a capable heir moving forward.
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Mane's signature in 2016 was integral to how the Reds would develop under Jurgen Klopp. Having been appointed as Brendan Rodgers' successor around six months earlier, the German coach didn't have much to work with at Anfield.
In the likes of Adam Lallana, James Milner, Philippe Coutinho, Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino, Liverpool lacked pace in the final third. They had recently sold Raheem Sterling to Manchester City while Daniel Sturridge, the tricky striker, was losing his speed on the back of several injury problems.
Firmino, in particular, was destined to form an integral part of Klopp's future after the squad had been assessed. The Brazilian was approaching his peak years of performance as an elite connector up front. He would prosper providing he was surrounded by team-mates who compensated for his limitations.
Mane was the first addition who presented Firmino with a platform to thrive. During his time at Southampton, the African attacker demonstrated his explosive pace and natural tendency to threaten in behind opposing defences.
He was penetrative, direct, rapid and goal-oriented, unlike Firmino who offered contrasting qualities by providing a more delicate touch, linking plays and dropping into deeper areas. As a dangerous wide forward who cut inside and attempted to score on a regular basis, Mane was a perfect team-mate, bagging a total of 90 goals in the Premier League for the Reds since his transfer.
His profile has since acted as a template for Liverpool in the transfer market, with Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz regarded as similar in terms of what they offer on the field.
Mane played on the right flank when he first arrived, as a means of accommodating Coutinho on the left. He later moved to the left when Salah joined the club but last season, he evolved further to become a 'false nine' of sorts who could also dart in behind.
He has proved to be a truly unique offensive option at Anfield, and his signature kick-started Klopp's 4-3-3 and Firmino's unorthodox tactical role. Regardless of how he performs in Bavaria, Mane deserves to be remembered as a true Liverpool great.
