Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said he couldn’t care less about Bayern Munich’s push for Sadio Mane at today’s Champions League media conference.
Mane, who enters the final year of his contract next month, has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich of late with reports in Germany intensifying this week ahead of the showdown with Real Madrid.
The player himself indicated this week that he would reveal his next move after that game with los Blancos at the Stade de France in Paris, saying: “Come back to me on Saturday and I will give you the best answer you want to hear, for sure. It’s special.”
Speaking in his pre-match press conference to preview the European Cup showpiece, Klopp hinted that a move could yet be on the cards for Mane, despite the club’s hope of speaking to his representatives at the end of the campaign over renewed terms.
“Sadio is in the shape of life, he has been a joy to watch,” said Klopp. “Football has asked a lot of him this season. He has been incredibly successful with Senegal
“On the Bayern Munich rumours, I couldn’t care less at the moment. Sadio is focused. We have no concerns, it is completely normal. He knows how important this game is. It is not the first time before a big game that Bayern Munich rumours have come up.
“This is the wrong moment to speak about that. Wherever Sadio will play next year, he will be a big player.”
Klopp also said that a Champions League triumph for Mane on Saturday would be a major boost for his personal hopes of landing the Ballon d’Or award later this year, having already won the Africa Cup of Nations, League Cup and FA Cup in a sensational 2022 so far.
Klopp added: “When you think about how these competitions work, then yes, you’re either Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or you have won the Champions League final. That is how you win, so yes, it will increase the chance [of winning], definitely.”
On Naby Keita, another player who is entering the final 12 months of his Liverpool deal, Klopp added: “It’s important we can train and play consistently. That’s what happened to Naby.
“He’s a good age. You normally need time to adapt. When Naby adapted, he got injured. He is in the shape of his life and has played a really good season.”
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