Could Klopp have already signed Mane’s replacement?
Football
By
Mirror
| Oct 27, 2020
Jurgen Klopp has already signed a ready-made replacement for Sadio Mane in £45million summer acquisition Diogo Jota.
That's the opinion of former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, who believes Jota will be a regular up top for the Reds in a few years.
Mane has attracted attention from both Barcelona and Real Madrid in recent years, but has remained an ever-present part of Liverpool's front three.
Warnock doesn't think the Reds are necessarily in any danger of losing Mane in the next transfer window, but he does believe Klopp has his replacement for such a situation.
Warnock told Stadium Astro: "Sadio Mane's 28 right now, so when he gets to 32 is there someone who would come in with a ridiculous offer you can't refuse?
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"I don't think that would happen with Mane. He's loved his time at Liverpool.
"If you want to be the best and challenge for titles, you have to have the squad depth - that's what [Diogo] Jota brings to this front line.
"It allows Klopp to rest at least one or two of the players with quality to replace them."
Warnock added: "When you've got the calibre of Roberto Firmino, [Mohamed] Salah and Mane, you're learning form them day in, day out in training.
"There's not many players at Liverpool who haven't improved.
"I do expect him to fully improve. I think he will be the person to take over from Sadio Mane in maybe four years time.
"He knew he was coming to Liverpool as back-up and he would have to force his way in
"He's more than happy to do that and he's got plenty of time on his side. He looks like a valuable player to Liverpool already."