Sadio Mane has stated that he does not view Luis Diaz as direct competition for his place in the Liverpool side.
The Colombian forward joined the Reds in a £49m deal from Porto in the final few days of the January transfer window and looked instantly impressive in his first start against Leicaester last week.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he has “never had a player like this” due to the 25-year-old’s constant positive attitude around the training ground.
Diaz has played off the left flank throughout his career; the same side currently occupied by Mane in the Reds’ front three.
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Having recently returned to Merseyside after scoring the winning penalty to lift the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, Mane does not view Diaz as a direct rival.
Instead, the 29-year-old insists that Diaz’s arrival puts the Reds in a stronger position to improve and compete for multiple honours - and has backed his manager to find the right balance within the Liverpool squad.
"I've spent two, three days with him and he's a very, very nice guy,” Mane told CBS Sports .
“For sure he will do great for Liverpool because he's so, so talented and he's very humble. A very hard-working player.
"I don't see it as competition. I see it as making each other better players. If you want to be a great team you need these kinds of players.”
Mane continued: “We are really happy to have these kinds of players and for sure, we're going to win and Liverpool will win from it.
“You think about the Champions League and Premier League…which is great for us as players and for the club, and for the fans.
“I think everyone knows Klopp is a great manager. He is used to this situation, making sure everyone is happy, and for sure he will keep doing the same.”
