“I Don’t See It as Competition” Sadio Mane on Luis Diaz arrival at Anfield

The Reds winger Sadio Mane was seen enthusiastic while speaking about the arrival of Luis Diaz in January at Liverpool.

Luis Diaz joined Liverpool for an initial £37m, with the fee potentially rising to £49m. The Colombian signed the contract for five and half years for the Anfield club.

The Number 23 has already made his mark upon arrival into his new club. Diaz made impressive debuts against Cardiff City in FA Cup and against Leicester in Premier League.

As they both play mainly on the left wing, it is being tipped Diaz to eventually take Mane’s spot in the long term.

Meanwhile, having recently returned to Merseyside after lifting the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, Sadio Mane does not view Diaz as a direct rival.

Speaking to CBS Sports, Mane said:

If you want to be a great team you need these kinds of players. We are really happy to have these kinds of players and for sure, we’re going to win and Liverpool will win from it.

I’ve spent two, three days with him and he’s a very, very nice guy,

For sure he will do great for Liverpool because he’s so, so talented and he’s very humble. A very hard-working player. I don’t see it as competition. I see it as making each other better players. If you want to be a great team you need these kinds of players.

Mane is also hopeful and anticipates that Jurgen Klopp will be key to keeping them both happy. He added:

I think everyone knows Klopp is a great manager. He is used to this situation, making sure everyone is happy, and for sure he will keep doing the same.

Meanwhile, having not been used in the trip at Burnley, Diaz will be eyeing for a place in Jurgen Klopp’s team to face Inter Milan tonight.

Luis Diaz a perfect successor to Sadio Mane at Liverpool

Luis Diaz is four years junior to Mane and plays in the same position on the left flank.

The Colombian has already hit the ground running at Liverpool. He has shone in his first two appearances upon arrival on eve of the January deadline transfer.

Moreover, ahead of the first leg of Liverpool’s Champions League game against Inter Milan, Klopp has heaped praise on the 25-year-old.

Liverpool boss admitted he has “never had a player” like Luis Diaz. Klopp lauded that he has a good feeling it will be a really nice story with Luis at Liverpool.

When I see him training, he cannot stop smiling – I’ve never had a player like this, it’s crazy!

We are so, so happy to have him here, it’s absolutely great. We expect a lot from him in the future. Now already, but in the future as well.

I have a good feeling it will be a really nice story with Luis at Liverpool.

At the age of 25, Diaz already seems like an accomplished player. But surely can elevate his game to the next level just as so many others have under Klopp. 

And to be honest, Diaz seems like a natural line of a successor for Mane, eventually.