Sadio Mane’s eyes sparkled as he said it. He will reveal more about his future, he said, after the Champions League final, and the way his 2022 went, it is understandable if he imagines that he will be able to announce his departure in the flames of glory. He had already scored the winning trophy in the African Cup of Nations and a point kick to send Senegal to the World Cup, and if he had missed 12 yards when he could have won the FA Cup, Liverpool still picked him up, along with the Carabao Cup.
Manet felt in the shape of his life. He looked in that happy place where a footballer had reached such a standard that confidence did not sound like arrogance and he advertised for the Golden Ball. Maybe he just needed another decisive appearance on the big stage to write his perfect farewell. Maybe he was inches away – and an inspired goalkeeper – from the performance. A combination of Thibaut Courtois and the inside of his crossbar refused to score an opening goal in the Champions League final. There would be no celebrations, no field interview to announce the most pleasant farewell. Instead, news broke the next day that six years later, Manet wanted time for his Anfield career. Liverpool’s first great signing with Jurgen Klopp would not be part of Klopp’s second team in Merseyside.
And yet, despite the rare feeling of rejection by one of the best players of their modern golden age, despite Bayern Munich’s attempts to bring down Liverpool, this could largely be a no-brainer. In part, this reflects gratitude for the brilliance and financial reality, it may be better to receive a fee now than not next summer. But the fan base, both reassured and excited by the arrival of Darwin Nunes, can see a replacement that is proof of the traction that Manet helped provide. While the Senegalese revealed that he was close to joining Manchester United before Klopp intervened in 2016, this seemed an easier choice for the Uruguayan six years later than for him. Manet joined the Liverpool team, which finished eighth and left one that was perhaps the most captivating team in Europe.
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