Is 2022/23 going to be a year of transition for Liverpool after the loss of Sadio Mane?

After losing Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich, is the 2022/23 season set to be a year of transition for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, as opposed to a full-out assault on a second Premier League title in four years?

The loss of Mane can’t be underestimated. Yes, Liverpool has made notable signings in recent weeks. But these are all players for the future, rather than the here and now.

Liverpool are still Second Favourites for Premier League Despite Losing Mane

The loss of Mane hasn’t affected Liverpool’s odds in the latest betting to win the Premier League. Liverpool are 11/5 to win the title in 2022/23, second favourites behind Manchester City who are 4/7. While in the latest football odds from Betfair, Liverpool are 5/1 second-favourites to win the Champions League. Again behind Manchester City, who are the 11/4 favourites.

With such changes to the Liverpool squad for this season, any football tips on the Reds need to be treated with caution. Yes, these odds haven’t changed since Mane left, as Liverpool were second favourites to win both the above-listed trophies before the Senegalese departed.

Sadio Mané’s first message in Bavarian 🗣️🇩🇪

A rite of passage for every new signing 😅#ServusMané #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/8RZPmrLj4P

— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) June 23, 2022

But Mane’s departure was also widely anticipated, so this could already have been factored into the betting odds. Either way, it seems a risk to follow football tips on Liverpool when there is such a void left to fill, and there’s no certainty as to how the new players will settle in.

Salah Staying is a Huge Boost

The news that Mohamed Salah finally signed on the dotted line to stay at Anfield was a huge boost. The Egyptian had the majority of the cards in his favour when it came to negotiating his new contract with Liverpool.

We’re delighted to announce that @MoSalah has signed a new long-term contract with the Reds! ❤️#SalahStays

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 1, 2022

The sale of Mane will also have helped Salah’s negotiations. Moving into the last 12 months of his contract (as Mane was) put Salah in a strong position, and once Mane departed, Liverpool knew they couldn’t afford to risk losing Salah as well.

In fairness to Salah, after what he’s achieved at Liverpool he could feel rightly entitled to get what he demanded – within reason. He is one of the top footballers on the planet, and as such, should expect to be remunerated appropriately.

Will Mane’s Loss Impact the Form of Salah?

How Salah gets on next season without his partner in crime is another matter though. It’s hard to estimate the influence Mane had on this team, he’s probably one of these unsung players who is noticed more when he’s not there.

Mane was prepared to shun the limelight for his teammates as well. Rarely did he receive the sort of plaudits that the likes of Mohamad Salah and even Diogo Jota received. He never seemed at all bothered by this. Players of Mane’s ability, with an ego that is not detrimental to the dressing room, are priceless and hard to find.

The new season isn’t long off now, and only when it starts will the Liverpool management and fans find out just how much they are going to miss Mane.