Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has warned Liverpool that selling Sadio Mane to Bayern could have a ‘huge impact’ on the club next season.
Liverpool rejected two offers from Bayern before agreeing a £35m fee for the Senegal forward, who has signed a three-year deal with the German giants.
Mane has been one of Liverpool’s most vital players in recent years, scoring 120 goals in 269 appearances since his £34m move from Southampton in 2016.
The 30-year-old enjoyed much individual and collective success at Anfield, winning two Champions League titles under Klopp as well as the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup.
Mane’s Senegal team-mate Mendy says it is a ‘big loss’ for both the Premier League and Liverpool, warning Klopp that his exit could influence his team during the 2022-23 campaign.
In his last season at Anfield, Mane scored 23 goals in all competitions, helping the Reds win two domestic trophies, reach the Champions League final and finish one point behind league champions Manchester City.
Asked about Mane’s move away from Liverpool, Chelsea keeper Mendy said: ‘I think it is a big loss for the Premier League in terms of quality and in terms of the person.
‘We’ve lost someone great and I hope for him he will enjoy the Bundesliga.
‘He’s also a big loss [to Liverpool] because of his quality, the impact he makes and also because, for the young players, he’s an example. When you lose someone like this it can have a huge impact.’
After Mane moved to Bayern Munich, Liverpool head coach Klopp described him as one of the club’s ‘greatest every players’.
He said: ‘One of Liverpool’s greatest ever players is leaving and we must acknowledge how significant this is. He leaves with our gratitude and our love.
‘And, yes, he leaves in a moment where he is one of the best players in world football.
‘I respect completely his decision and I’m sure our supporters do also. If you love LFC, you have to love Sadio – non-negotiable. ‘It is possible to do this while accepting our loss is Bayern’s gain.
‘We wish him nothing but success in every match he plays in, unless, of course, it’s against us. His star will continue to rise, I have no doubts.’
