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Sadio Mane: This is the real reason I joined Liverpool and not Manchester United
SADIO MANE has hailed the influence of Jurgen Klopp on his decision to join Liverpool.
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The Senegal international moved to Anfield in the summer from Southampton for £36million and has been a revelation so far.
Mane has scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 22 appearances.
And his influence on the team was illustrated when Liverpool struggled in January while he was away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Manchester United had made a bid for Mane in 2015 when Louis van Gaal was in charge.
Sadio Mane has been excellent for Liverpool
And he admits that while he had other options, the opportunity to work with Klopp was decisive.
He told the Daily Mirror: “I am very lucky to have the coach here. As a player, you always have to think about where you are going, what you can do there and I had other options.
Sadio Mane is a big fan of Jurgen Klopp
"Jurgen Klopp is a great manager, a great person as well.
"From when he met me, he made it so easy for me to adapt not just in the team but also at the club as well. Liverpool was the only place for me."