Newcastle United forward Callum Wilson believes Liverpool made a mistake selling Sadio Mane this summer and are currently suffering the consequences of his departure.
Mane completed a summer switch to Bayern Munich to end his six-year association with the Reds, stating the need for a new challenge as the driving factor behind his move. The 30-year-old has adapted to his new surroundings in impressive fashion, scoring 11 goals in the 21 appearances he has so far made.
Liverpool did not spend big during the transfer window to replace the talented attacker, though recruited Luis Diaz in January and added youngster Fabio Carvalho to the ranks to bolster options within the final third of the pitch.
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Jurgen Klopp's side tied down Mohamed Salah to a new deal in a major boost to the club, though Wilson is of the view Liverpool are currently paying the price for failing to retain the services of Mane.
"When I saw Liverpool were selling Mane in the summer, I was actually a little bit shocked," said the 30-year-old. "Out of the front three, he wouldn't have been my choice of who I would have sold at that moment in time. When you play against Liverpool, he's the one - if he is on it - who you think can destroy you single-handedly. That is probably the missing piece of the jigsaw at the minute.
"When you are changing from players like Mane to Nunez, they might not have had Klopp for that period of time yet where you know what is expected of you. I think the break [World Cup] will probably help Liverpool regenerate and recharge. They are going to be in and around the top four, let's be serious, this dip isn't going to last for long. Man United were down in the relegation zone four or five weeks ago and, all of a sudden, they are in the top six."
Continuing on the topic of the Reds' patchy form, Wilson launched a defence of Klopp despite criticism that has come the way of the German due to poor results.
"When the manager has been in charge like that for so long and done unbelievably for the club, people are too quick to jump on a bandwagon of, 'is it time for change?' Everyone, even in general life, has ups and downs so if you're not going to stick with someone in their downs, don't get on the bandwagon when they're on the up," stated the Magpies' marksman.
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