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On this day in 2016, Liverpool completed the signing of striker Sadio Mane from Southampton.
The Senegal international made the switch from St. Mary’s to Anfield
for a fee of £30million in what was the first major transfer of the Jurgen Klopp era.
It was a second bite of the transfer cherry for the Reds boss, who had admitted not signing Mane for Borussia Dortmund was one of his ‘biggest mistakes’.
The German coach was certainly overjoyed with the then 24-year-old's arrival, but a portion of Liverpool fans were under whelmed and unsure.
In the age of social media many supporters were vocal in expressing these concerns across the various platforms.
Some complained the fee was excessive, others were annoyed Liverpool had signed yet another Southampton player, while some were simply unconvinced by Mane's ability to flourish at Anfield.
Playing primarily as a winger, Mane had
scored 25 goals in 75 appearances at St Mary's - including two in a comeback victory against the Reds - but that didn't seem to be enough to win fans over.
Liverpool had previously expressed an interest in World Cup winner Mario Gotze, and many fans believed that the Reds had missed out on the better player.
But Mane got straight to work in silencing his critics and proving himself to be one of the world's best from the very start.
On the opening day of the 2016/17 campaign Liverpool faced Arsenal in a thrilling tie, but it was the Reds' new number 19 who stole all the headlines with a sublime debut goal as Klopp's men ran out 4-3 winners.
His jaunting solo run saw him bypass the Gunners' defence, and he sent an arrowed finish into the top of the net.
A strike as famous for its craft as it was for the ensuing celebration chaos.
Mane ran hurriedly towards the technical box, his arms swimming through the air - he wanted to celebrate with the man who made this moment possible.
And that man, Klopp, welcomed him in the most spontaneous way as he offered Mane an impromptu piggy back ride.
That was the start, those who had questioned the Senegalese star would begin to eat their words and delete their tweets.
It was a landslide from there on in, Mane would go on to secure his legendary status with 59 goals and counting.
He not only paved the way on the Road to Madrid with a blindingly memorable effort against Bayern Munich, but l
ast season he scored 22 times in the Premier League and was joint top-scorer.
Along with helping Liverpool secure that historic sixth European Cup, Mane has done something else, he has changed fans willingness and acceptance when it comes to transfers.
He is the bedrock success story which aids Michael Edwards and Klopp's work in the transfer market.
Most Reds’ fans will now no longer question the transfer fee of a player because Mane proved their doubts to be wrong.
When Virgil van Dijk arrived in January 2018 for a record-breaking sum of £75million, the only noises being made by Liverpool fans were ones of excitement not trepidation.
The need for a rock-solid central defender was obvious and Van Dijk, now regarded by many as the world's best, was the cure.
When Alisson was bought from Roma for £65million fans expressed gratitude and optimism.
Last summer’s other arrivals Naby Keita and Fabinho cost £52million and £39.3million respectively.
In 2017, Mohamed Salah was £36.9million and a deadline day deal saw Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain come in for £35million.
None of these fees have been a big issue for Liverpool’s fan base and that’s because of Mane’s hit the ground running success.
Supporters of other clubs have of course questioned the transfer fees of the Reds' signings.
But they have been answered with a blistering 97 points return, teamed with Champions League glory.
Mane proved so many wrong, and in doing so restored the fans' trust in the transfer market.
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Our thread discussing about him signing for us back in 2016:
http://www.sixcrazyminutes.com/threads/sadio-mane.85933/ 😀
