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John Aldridge keen to see Sadio Mane operate as central striker for Liverpool
Liverpool legend John Aldridge would like to see Sadio Mane operate through the middle for the Reds to accomodate new signing Diogo Jota.
The Portuguese was handed his first league start last weekend against Sheffield United, and took up a right wing position normally occupied by Mo Salah.
The Egyptian was used through the middle, with Roberto Firmino dropped back as an advanced midfielder, and Mane on the left.
It was something lots of Liverpool fans have been keen to see, but the change didn’t quite bring the fluidity many expected.
That said, two of the quartet did score against the Blades to seal all three points.
In the eyes of Aldridge, Jurgen Klopp should stick with the quartet but alter their positions.
: “You have to be patient with these things and I actually think Mane would be better down the middle with Salah on the right on Jota on the left, with Firmino in behind.
“Saturday was the first time we’ve tried the four of them together and I think it can work with the way Jota plays so I feel it’s just a case of giving them time to gel.”
TBR’s View – Mane through the middle may be needs must
Jota,23, much prefers to play from the left so he can cut inside on his strong foot.
Perhaps Mane – who cost £34 million from Southampton in 2016 () – will need to play through the middle in order for Klopp to make this change.
It can be argued that the Senegal superstar is a more clinical finisher than Salah, who scores more because he has more shots, and so it could be something that works well with Firmino pulling the strings from just behind.