MIRROR
Jurgen Klopp did not tell Sadio Mane about Philippe Coutinho’s impending Liverpool exit after the signing of Mohamed Salah forced him to switch roles.
When Mane joined Liverpool from Southampton in 2016, he spent the entire season playing as a right winger while Coutinho starred primarily on the left. However, Salah’s move from Roma the following year saw him become Klopp’s first-choice on the right.
As a result, Mane switched to the left where he and Coutinho were in direct competition, although the Brazilian did occasionally play a more central role that season. Mane’s form suffered after the positional switch and Klopp held private talks with him about his future after Liverpool drew 1-1 with local rivals Everton in December.
In the match, Mane missed an excellent chance that could have earned Liverpool the win and Klopp attempted to give the winger a major confidence boost – although he refused to tell him that Coutinho was nearing a move to Barcelona.
