SM
Barcelona vs. Brann: 8 hrs 33 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
BL
Champions League | Semi-Finals
May 1, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
LL

3-0

Suarez (26'), Messi (74', 82')
FT(HT: 1-0)

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

:Headline: Sadio Mane 'jealous' at Philippe Coutinho's Barcelona move: ID:357827: from db_amp
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.

"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 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."

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."

amp_article__357827 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-04-30 21:14:31:
html db last update - 2021-02-04 18:29:35 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Philippe Coutinho

Click here for more stories about Liverpool

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .