Emmanuel Petit: "Since Mané left, Liverpool don't play the same way"

Liverpool are struggling badly in the Premier League. The Reds are only ninth after 19 games, with just 28 points on the board. They are well adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United (38 points, ten more) and leaders Arsenal (47 points, 19 more). Jürgen Klopp's side are, it's fair to say, a long way off the pace.

For former France international Emmanuel Petit, Liverpool's decline is down to the departure of Sadio Mané, who joined Bayern Munich this summer. "Since Mané left, Liverpool don't play the same way. Mané was such an important link between Liverpool's midfield and attack. He played with so much energy on the pitch," said the 1998 world champion in an interview with an English media outlet.

He went on: "He was decisive and always contributed with goals and assists. He led Liverpool's press and frightened defenders when they had the ball. He set the tempo for the team and everyone followed, Salah did the same job."

Beyond his contribution on the pitch, Petit believes Sadio Mané's big performances also pushed Mo Salah to raise his game. That competition helped take Liverpool to the top in recent seasons. "There was a great rivalry between Salah and Mané and they pushed each other, which helped the team. They used to play with a coordinated press, but that no longer happens," he explained.