26 April 2023 , 11:20
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Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are set to play against Sadio Mane's Bayern Munich in a pre-season friendly this summer.
Mane hasn't played against the Reds since completing a transfer to Bayern last summer. The move hasn't worked out as hoped, as the Senegal international has scored just seven Bundesliga goals this season. Liverpool have also struggled on all fronts this term.
There is speculation about Mane returning to Merseyside, but former Liverpool star Kolo Toure has told Klopp to keep faith in new recruits Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez. Transfer talk aside, it appears there will be a reunion between Klopp and Mane this summer.
Liverpool players are expected to return from their summer holiday on July 8, with international stars following three days later. Klopp's side will then head to Germany for a training camp before playing some pre-season friendlies in Singapore.
One of those games will be against Bayern, which means Mane is likely to feature against his former employers. Speaking to Mirror Football on behalf of BT Sport, Toure was asked whether he thinks Klopp can revive his Liverpool squad after a tough campaign.
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Liverpool are seventh in the Premier League table, nine points behind Manchester United in fourth having played a game more. The Community Shield holders also failed to go far in the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Kolo Toure has offered his opinion on the prospect of Sadio Mane re-joining Liverpool (BT Sport)Do you agree with Kolo Toure? Let us know in the comments below!
Toure replied: "Jurgen is a top manager. He's been winning in Germany; he's been winning here. Every club will go through a transition moment.
"I think losing [Sadio] Mane was big for them... Mane, for me, was special for them because he could score goals and provide goals, but he also had a big personality. He's a player that when it was tough, he was able to make the difference.
"But I still believe they are looking for the new version [of Liverpool]. Jurgen is looking to refresh his team and look for the players who are going to fit well in the team. But I'm sure he will do that because he's a guy who's got great experience; great man-management.
"I had a great time with him, and I believe he will find a way again to bring the team to fight for the title again."
Toure was then asked whether Liverpool should re-sign Mane. He replied: "I think he will stick with them [current players]. He needs to give them time to show they are capable to fit to the Liverpool team. As a player, you have to do your best to show you are capable of performing for them. If you don't, it's going to be the next one [player].
"Jurgen is a great manager; he's doing a great job. I think he's trying to find players who are going to have the chemistry to keep the team fighting for the title."
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