Sadio Mane “fits perfectly in the philosophy of Jurgen Klopp,” says former coach

Oliver Glasner, former assistant manager at Red Bull Salzburg, has lauded Liverpool’s £30 million signing of Sadio Mane.

Mane spent two years with the Austrian side, before moving to Southampton in 2014, with his strong performances in the Premier League paving the way for a big-money move to Merseyside.

Liverpool supporters have been decidedly wary over Mane’s signing, following the varied fortunes of previous signings from the Saints.

But speaking to ESPN FC following Mane’s move, Glasner said the 24-year-old “fits perfectly in the philosophy of Jurgen Klopp.”

“He’s very quick. He has a fantastic mentality to work against the ball [and] play very high pressing,” Glasner explained.

“We always used GPS in training and afterwards the data [said] he was one of the players who ran the most in every training [session].

“He works a lot for the team in defence, which is very important for Liverpool.

“He’s used to doing this from Red Bull Salzburg. He wants to do this because he knows that he will profit, so then he can score goals and make a lot of assists.”

Mane is regularly touted as a replacement for Adam Lallana in Klopp’s first-choice starting lineup, and Glasner’s words should prove encouraging for supporters worrying about the loss of the Englishman’s pressing ability.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 20, 2016: Southampton's Sadio Mane in action against Liverpool during the FA Premier League match at St Mary's Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Glasner continued to describe Mane as a hugely ambitious young player, though warned against his commitment in lower-level encounters—something that Klopp will need to iron out at Anfield.

“Against the best teams he shows his best performances but against the weak teams he will do things [at] maybe 80 or 90 percent,” he said.

“The better the opponent is, the better he played.

“So when he played against Ajax Amsterdam, he played better than when we played in the league against a weak team.

“But I think if he can play always on his highest level then it will be a big step for him.

“Playing with Liverpool and Klopp is the best for him.”

Glasner—who now manages Austrian second-division side LASK Linz—highlighted the left wing as Mane’s best position, though he was regularly utilised on the right by Southampton, and said the Senegalese is “very good in one-on-one situations.”

Dedicated to improving himself on the training ground, Mane can make a good impression on Klopp in the first weeks of pre-season at Melwood.

The Reds’ No. 19 is available for selection for Friday night’s clash with Tranmere Rovers, and can make his mark immediately with a strong performance at Prenton Park.

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