Jurgen Klopp finally admits to missing Sadio Mane

Liverpool were held to a 3-3 draw on Saturday at Anfield

Jurgen Klopp | Liverpool 3-3 Brighton
Jurgen Klopp during Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Brighton at Anfield

Jurgen Klopp has admitted he misses Sadio Mane, further underscoring the striker's departure from Liverpool in the summer.

After joining the Reds in 2016, Mane scored 120 goals in 269 games, helping Liverpool win all the Grand Slam titles under Klopp.

However, the striker decided to end his Anfield career following last season's Champions League loss to Real Madrid with his Liverpool contract ready to expire next summer.

The Senegal international, who has been pushing for a move to Bayern Munich was granted  his request for a £35m fee agreement.

And amidst his absence since the beginning of the new season Liverpool have struggled.

Klopp was asked about Mane's departure following Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Brighton, the German first appeared to hit back at the suggestion that his team's mixed form so far this season was due to the ex-Southampton man's departure but later admitted he missed the CAF Player of the Year winner.

"A good guy and a top player. But missing it sounds like I still want him here. I think it's really okay that Sadio just wanted to do something different,” Klopp told Sky Germany.

"Absolutely. I totally respect that. The way it went was great. We knew that he would do something different without breaking up badly. That must be possible in life.

“That's exactly what happened. Missing? Yes! But I'm happy too. That he's where he wanted to be. We'll solve our problems here.

“Sadio is an outstanding player. Everyone in Munich saw that too. He's absolutely world class. Everything will be fine."

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