Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has hinted that the departure of Sadio Mane is a potential reason behind Liverpool ’s slump this season.
The Reds have struggled under Jurgen Klopp this term and failed to challenge for the Premier League crown. Liverpool sit eighth in the table and already 12 points off the pace for the top four ahead of Monday's showdown with Leeds at Elland Road.
One man who is firmly involved in the title race, however, is Man City right-back Walker. Asked by BBC Sport to name the three toughest opponents of his career, he selected former Reds forward Mane.
The Senegalese international has racked up an eye-catching record against City throughout his career with ten goals in 19 appearances in all competitions. After plumping for ex- Chelsea star Eden Hazard in third place, Walker said: “Second, I would say [Sadio] Mane. Again, being at Manchester City, I’ve had some great rivals with Liverpool and coming up against him was always tough.
“You know, so skilful, worked really hard for the team and also chipped in with a lot of goals, sometimes against me.”
Mane, 31, was a key performer during his time at Anfield. After joining from Southampton in 2016, he went on to score 120 goals for the Merseyside club, helping them to win the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and a whole host of other trophies.
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His spell at Anfield only came to an end in the summer with a move to German giants Bayern Munich. Liverpool have certainly struggled in the aftermath of his departure.
The same could also be said of Mane. Despite scoring 11 goals before the World Cup, he has now gone eight games without finding the back of the net in all competitions for Bayern.
He will be hoping to make an impact against Man City and Walker as the two clash in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg showdown at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Elsewhere, Walker only ranked two players above Mane when it came to his most testing opponents. The England defender added: “First one would be, [Kylian] Mbappe or Vinicius Jr. I think it’s hard to say between them both.
“You know, Mbappe, very, very skilful. Obviously played against him at PSG and against France at the World Cup.
“Vinicius Jr I think the same. Very skilful young player, exciting winger with the world at his feet so I think both of them deserve a mention and it would be hard for me to say a top three.”
