Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he made a wrong judgement on Sadio Mane earlier in his managerial career.
Since signing the Senegal international from Southampton in 2016, Klopp has witnessed the winger score 77 goals from 181 appearances in all competitions.
However, the German has admitted that he had doubts over Mane when first encountering the player during his time as manager of Borussia Dortmund.
Speaking on documentary Sadio Mane - Made in Senegal, Klopp said: "I remember my first encounter with Sadio. It was in Dortmund. There was a really young guy sitting there. His baseball cap was askew, the blond streak he still has today.
"He looked like a rapper just starting out. I thought, 'I don't have time for this'. Our team back then really wasn't bad. I needed someone who could handle not being a starter at the very beginning, someone I could develop.
"I'd say I have a pretty good feeling for people, but was I wrong. I followed his further career and continued success at [Red Bull] Salzburg. In Southampton he just dominated."
Mane has enjoyed an excellent campaign, contributing 16 goals and eight assists from 34 outings in the Premier League and Champions League.
Darren Plant
