Liverpool hunts for the perfect defensive player in RB Leipzig

Reports have suggested that Leipzig will demand as much as €110m (£97m) for Gvardiol, which would smash Liverpool’s transfer record.

Considering their other main target, Jude Bellingham, has a price tag that is said to be around €150m (£132m), the pair of them could cost as much as £229m.

While the Reds wouldn’t have to pay all of it up front, it is an to amount of money for the club’s owners, FSG, to shell out. It’s no wonder they have been looking for investment, as the only way they can keep the team in the hunt for trophies is by competing for top players, who have sky-high valuations.

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Sadio Mane snubs Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk while naming his ultimate player♣

Sadio Mane has only mentioned one of Liverpool’s current stars when naming his ultimate player

Sadio Mane snubbed former Liverpool teammates Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk while naming his ultimate player.
The 30-year-old, who ended his six-year tenure at Liverpool to join German giants Bayern Munich last summer, was asked to choose a player from the following

 categories: speed, dribbling, intelligence, flair , finishing, leadership and defense.
Only one current Liverpool player has been named by Mane – and that was Jordan Henderson for the England midfielder’s leadership qualities.
Let’s take a closer look at Mane’s advice:

Speed: Alphonso Davies

The obvious choice, for sure. Alphonso Davies is absolutely fast. Dribbling: Jamal Musiala.

Alphonso Davies

You really praise for the nineteen year old, who represented England at various youth levels before debuting his senior Germany in 2021.

Intelligence: Joshua Kimmich

Bayern Munich and Germany regularly Joshua Kimmich is an act of class. It is not surprising that Manels evaluates him as the most intelligent football player with whom he played.

Joshua Kimmich

Flair: Leroy Sane

Has Mane played with someone more skilled than Leroy Sane in Liverpool? Thiago, maybe? Salah?

Leroy Sane

Finish: Original Divock

Okay, we didn’t see this response coming. Salah scored goals for fun while playing alongside Mane.

Finish: Original Divock

Origi, meanwhile, scored 41 goals in 175 games for Liverpool, averaging one goal every 4.2 games.

Management: Jordan Henderson

Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller and Kimmich are Bayern Munich captains, but Mane has overlooked them all in favor of Hendo.

Defender: Kalidou Koulibaly

Defender: Kalidou Koulibaly

Kalidou Koulibaly is Mane’s international teammate, which could explain why he picked Chelsea defender Van Dijk. But in the eyes of many, Van Dijk has been the best centre-back in the world for several years.
Koulibaly, on the other hand, struggled in his debut season in the Premier League.

Video: Sadio Mane chooses his Ultimate Player

Watch the video of Mane’s selection

How is Mané at Bayern Munich?

Mane had been out of action since November with a knee injury but started the season well, scoring 11 goals in his first 23 games. He won his first trophy with Bayern last July, scoring Bayern’s second goal in a 5-3 win over RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup.

Mane returned to full training on Sunday and his recovery from injury is a timely boost for manager Julian Nagelsmann, whose side were beaten 3-2 by Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.

Bayern are now tied (43) with Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin at the top of the Bundesliga table after 21 matches.