‘A note of caution’: Garth Crooks warns Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp over Sadio Mane sub

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BBC pundit, Garth Crooks, has fired a warning to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp over his use and treatment of star forward, Sadio Mane.

Mane was withdrawn by Klopp in the weekend romp over Crystal Palace but was clearly frustrated at being removed from the action when he felt he had more to give.

The Senegalese star has been influential for Liverpool and Klopp in recent seasons. And Crooks, speaking about his BBC Team of the Week where he included Mane’s replacement, Mo Salah, believes the Reds boss needs to be careful with Mane.

“A note of caution for Klopp: don’t mess Sadio Mane around. He’s been the Reds’ best forward for over a season and if Klopp is going to substitute him, especially when he’s in such fine goalscoring mood, he needs to let him know well in advance,” Crooks said.

“Watching Mane come off muttering his frustrations isn’t a good look and Klopp is deluding himself if he thinks such things don’t matter. And he should never think for one minute that the big European clubs aren’t watching his every move.”

Mane and Salah have been the standout and most eye-catching performers in the Liverpool team. Indeed, they shared the Golden Boot with Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back in 2018/19.

Liverpool will be mindful of the futures of both their forwards, with some of Europe’s top clubs having already made their presence known in recent transfer windows.

Mountain out of mole-hill stuff but Crooks has a point – TBR View

For a team flying high and a team who are so good, there are these little stories of frustration and unhappiness coming out of Anfield.

Of course, Mane was probably just upset at not being able to cause more havoc at the weekend but this isn’t the first time we’ve heard mentions of potential uneasiness within the Reds squad.

Jurgen Klopp will need to make sure he stays firmly on top of matters.