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Sadio Mane was one of Liverpool's standout performers as they won the Champions League title and Premier League title in consecutive seasons. The Senegalese international has been one of Jurgen Klopp's chief weapons during Liverpool's return to the top in recent times.
Sadio Mane hasn't been at his best in recent times for Liverpool
Sadio Mane was the joint top scorer in the Premier League in the 2018-19 season. He shared the Premier League Golden Boot with Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng and Mohamed Salah. They all scored 22 goals each in the league that season. Sadio Mane gave a good account of himself in the 2019-20 season as well.
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However, since then, his powers seem to have waned. Mane had a rather underwhelming 2020-21 campaign by his own standards. He scored just 16 goals and provided nine assists in 48 appearances across all competitions for the Merseysiders last term.
It's not just the numbers. Mane seems to have lost his clinical ability in and around the final third and a section of Liverpool's fanbase is not very happy with his performances in recent times. They want the 29-year-old to be sold so that Mohamed Salah can be offered a new lucrative contract.
It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will make the decision to sell Sadio Mane. But let's take a look at five potential replacements for the Liverpool winger.
#5 Adama Traore (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Adama Traore is, without doubt, the fastest attacker in the Premier League. He is also an excellent dribbler and once he starts running at defenders, it is hard to catch him. He has already completed 97 dribbles this term.
Quite incredibly enough though, Traore is yet to score or provide an assist after making 17 appearances in the Premier League this term for Wolves. This speaks volumes of the quality of his final ball. But regardless, Traore has been heavily linked with Liverpool.
The Merseysiders are reportedly looking for options to bolster their attack when Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah leave in January to take part in the 2021 AFCON. He could prove to be a great back up for either player and maybe with such quality player around him, Traore's final product will improve as well.
#4 Raphinha (Leeds United)
Leeds United are currently 16th in the Premier League table. Brazilian winger Raphinha deserves a lot of credit for keeping Marcelo Bielsa's men out of the drop zone. The 25-year-old has been in great form for Leeds, scoring eight goals and providing an assist in 16 Premier League appearances this term.
The Brazilian international is a tricky winger who oozes quality. He can beat defenders at will, is an excellent technician and a dead-ball specialist. He could be a perfect fit for Jurgen Klopp's system at Liverpool. Raphinha could also be a long-term signing for the Merseysiders.
Whenever Liverpool actively start looking to sign replacements for Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, they will need to look at players of Raphinha's quality.
#3 Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)
Kingsley Coman is a nightmare to defend against when he is in the mood. The Bayern Munich winger has been in decent form this season, scoring five goals and providing two assists in 17 appearances across all competitions so far.
Coman's current contract with the Bavarians expires in the summer of 2023. Negotiations over a new deal have hit a stumbling block and Bayern Munich could be open to selling the 25-year-old next summer. Liverpool will welcome the qualities Coman has. He is a quick winger with great dribbling skills, vision and technical ability.
Coman has also already won plenty of trophies at both club and international levels. He is ready to make the step up and he can complement Liverpool's style of play as well. Coman can play on either flank and his versatility makes him a top candidate to take over from Sadio Mane at Liverpool.
#2 Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid)
Joao Felix has shown us flashes of his genius since securing that €127.2 million switch from Benfica to Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019. However, Felix has not been able to produce the goods on a consistent basis at the Wanda Metropolitano.
As a result, he is not a regular starter for Diego Simeone's men. Consequently, the 22-year-old has been linked with an exit and Liverpool have been credited with an interest in him.
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has claimed that the club trust him to be an important player for them in the future. However, they might just sell him for the right prize as Diego Simeone has made no guarantees over game time to the player. Felix could be a great long-term investment for Liverpool.
We've seen how the youngster's fellow countryman Diogo Jota has improved under Jurgen Klopp. Felix has more natural ability than Jota and he could thus do wonders at Liverpool. But the Merseysiders will need to break the bank to sign the 22-year-old as he is valued at around €70 million.
#1 Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina)
Dusan Vlahovic very recently equalled Cristiano Ronaldo's record of scoring 33 Serie A goals in a calendar year. The Fiorentina striker has been in sublime form this term. In 20 appearances across all competitions so far this season, he has scored 18 goals and provided two assists.
He is on the radar of a number of European clubs including Liverpool and Newcastle United. According to Goal in Italy, Fiorentina have slapped an €80 million price tag on the 21-year-old. Juventus are also reportedly in the race to sign him.
Vlahovic could be a great addition to this Liverpool side. He is a left-footed player who is an excellent dribbler just like Mohamed Salah. The young forward is also pacy and packs a very powerful shot in his left foot.
Vlahovic is also pretty good at aerial duels and he can thus add a bit of dynamism to Liverpool's attack as well. It is important to note that he is still just 21-years-old, which means he could be a wonderful long-term signing for Liverpool.
He reportedly has his eyes set on a move as well. Fiorentina CEO confirmed this week that the player and his agent have turned down a new contract proposal from the club despite being offered a bumper salary.
