"Just an excuse" - Danny Murphy won't buy Sadio Mane excuse

Pundit Danny Murphy does not believe that Liverpool's poor form is simply down to Sadio Mane's departure.

The winger left Anfield and joined Bayern Munich for a transfer fee of £28.80 million earlier this summer.

However, since Mane's departure, Liverpool have only won two of their opening six Premier League fixtures this season.

But, Murphy believes that the club's poor form is not down to Mane's departure.

“I think the Mane thing is just an excuse, and maybe players can hide behind that,” the 45-year-old told talkSPORT.

“I don’t agree with the Mane point. You miss quality, but him leaving is not the reason the players at the back aren’t tracking runners or switching off – that’s complacency and a lack of concentration.”

Anfield Watch Verdict

Mane was a terrific player for Liverpool. The winger scored 120 goals and registered 49 assists in 269 appearances for the club's first-team.

Mane also won six major trophies with Liverpool. He was a big player for the Reds.

However, the club's recent form can't be put down to Mane's departure. There is enough quality out on the pitch to get results.

So, we fully expect Liverpool to bounce back in the near future. But, nothing is given to a team in football.

The Reds will have to work hard if they are to recapture their form from last season (competed for the quadruple).