He's terribly dishing on Sadio Mané 2 years after his departure!

Transfers arouseoften have differing opinions, and Charlie Austin balance on his former Southampton teammates, Sadio Mané and Virgil van Dijk. Having had the chance to play alongside these two exceptional talents, The England striker shared his thoughts on their respective journeys and ended up revealingand initial doubts regarding the Senegalese during his transfer to Liverpool in 2016.

When Sadio Mane left Southampton to join Liverpool in 2016, Charlie Austin, who was also playing for Southampton at the time, admitted to having reservations about his former team-mate’s ability to succeed at a club of Liverpool’s stature. In a recent interview on the Golf Life podcast, the 35-year-old England forward said he wasn’t really sure Mane could make it at Anfield.

For him, Gainde still had a “rough and ready” side, and he didn't know if he would be able to adapt to the pressure and expectations of such a prestigious club. Austin acknowledged that while he had seen flashes of brilliance in Mané – such as his memorable hat-trick against Manchester City – he feared those moments wouldn't be enough to shine in an environment as demanding as Liverpool's.

“Yes, he had the potential to become the player he is today. However, watching him train there every day was impressive because it seemed effortless for him. In reality, it was really too easy and that’s the problem. He needed to be pushed day in and day out. If that had been the case, he would have become the player he has become, I’m sure of it. On the other hand, when Sadio joined Liverpool, I wasn’t sure he would succeed at Anfield. Honestly, I had my doubts. I thought he was a bit rough around the edges to play for Liverpool at that point.”, he let go.

Austin's hesitation is interesting, especially when you consider the career Mané has gone on to build since then. His rise at Liverpool has been meteoric, and he has quickly proven the doubts of some to be unfounded. Indeed, Sadio Mané has established himself as one of the best strikers in the world, scoring crucial goals and playing a key role in Jurgen Klopp's team's success.

L'Sadio Mane's rise in Liverpool

Sadio Mane's Liverpool story is one of impressive transformation. Between 2016 and 2022, he scored a total of 120 goals in 269 appearances for the club. This total made him a hero in the eyes of the Reds' fans. His ability to score in crucial moments made him a key player in Jürgen Klopp's team. The boy from Bambali was able to adapt to the demands of the Premier League and quickly found his place in a team that was aiming for the top.

His 2018/19 season was particularly remarkable, where he finished with 22 Premier League goals. This allowed him to share the Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. This success was not only an individual accolade, but also contributed to Liverpool's rise to the top, winning the Champions League that same season. Sadio Mané was also a key part of the club's 2020 Premier League triumph, ending a 30-year wait. His performances proved that, despite initial doubts, he had not only the ability but also the mentality to succeed at Liverpool. In any case, Charlie Austin's outburst on Sadio Mané perfectly illustrates how far the Senegalese has come since his time at Southampton.