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Sadio Mane "jealous" at Philippe Coutinho's Barcelona move

Sadio Mane
© Reuters
The Brazil international left Anfield in January 2018.

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane admits he was jealous when Barcelona lured team-mate Philippe Coutinho to the Nou Camp.

The Brazil international left in January 2018 in a deal worth up to £142million after failing to force a move through six months earlier.

Liverpool coped well with the disruption created by the playmaker's transfer request and his subsequent departure but Mane admitted it did leave a hole.

"He is a great, great player and I'm a little bit jealous that Barcelona got him," said the Senegal international.

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A post shared by Philippe Coutinho (@phil.coutinho) on

"I would love to see him again but we we are happy for him.

"He really enjoyed playing alongside his team-mates and gave everything, and is still young and can improve a lot.

"I know him, he is a hard worker. Hopefully tomorrow he will still be in bed when we play!"

Manager Jurgen Klopp is pleased with the way his side moved on from the Coutinho furore with very little fuss and have, arguably, become a better side.

"Yes, we miss Phil Coutinho a lot because he is a world-class player and I loved working with him," said the Reds boss.

Liverpool v Sevilla – UEFA Champions League – Group E – Anfield
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Philippe Coutinho (Peter Byrne/PA)

"But we had to deal without him and we did well. When I first heard he wanted to go to Barcelona I couldn't imagine we would do that good but we did."

Mane was asked by Spanish journalists about a potential move to LaLiga, having been linked with Barca's arch-rivals Real Madrid in recent months.

"Very good question! You guys write it..." was the response.

"I respect LaLiga is a good league, they have great players, but the Premier League is also a wonderful league and every single player would want to play there.

"So I have a chance to play there and I am very happy, so that's cool."

Great Britain and Ireland v Rest of the World – UNICEF Charity Match – Old Trafford
Ronaldinho is one of Sadio Mane's heroes (Martin Rickett/PA)

But Spanish football has already left a lasting impression on Mane, and one former Barcelona player in particular.

"Ronaldinho was one of my heroes. I really loved watching him play, especially here at Camp Nou," he said.

"I would have loved to play against him. Him not being here now is an advantage for us! I still love him. He is still my hero forever.

"I loved his skills, his smile for sure. Maybe when I'm not smiling on the pitch people think I am angry. I would love to have his smile, but we're not similar like that."


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Roberto Firmino in Liverpool training on April 30, 2019
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City36302490226892
2Liverpool36287184206491
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs372311365372870
4Chelsea36208860392168
5Arsenal362061069492066
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd36198964511365
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves371510124644255
8Everton37158145244853
9Leicester CityLeicester36156155147451
10Watford36148145152-150
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham37147164654-849
12Bournemouth37136185365-1245
13Crystal Palace36127174348-543
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle36119163645-942
15Burnley37117194465-2140
16Southampton37911174462-1838
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3698193355-2235
18Cardiff CityCardiff3694233066-3631
RFulham3776243476-4227
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3635282074-5414

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