30 May 2022 15:36:56
Hi Ed001, trust all is well. Hope you've adjusted well to your new surroundings.

Question for you. Do you think Luis Diaz is a better player than the Sadio Mané who had just joined us from Southampton? Just a random question, but one I'm curious to know your opinion about, because I'd like to get a feel for Diaz's future potential.

My opinion is that Mané was a better player. And he kept improving until, say, a year ago. And needless to say, I would still keep him if he were interested in staying.

{Ed001's Note - all good here thanks apart from struggling to get used to the time zone.

As for Diaz, yes he is better for me, but he has also joined a much better side so his impact isn't as huge. For me Mane should have gone last summer, I said it then and I stand by it. I love him but I think he was in decline and that was the time to sell.}

1.) 30 May 2022
30 May 2022 17:47:44
Is it not possible we could knick lewandowski from Barcelona although he is 33 look at Ibrahimivic still going strong even if we could get him for a couple of seasons would do as he scores more goals that haaland.

2.) 30 May 2022
30 May 2022 18:10:02
From what I've seen, Mane is/ was a better player than Diaz.
I agree that his standards have dropped the past couple of seasons though and I don't think he's as effective through the middle.
I also think we should have shaken up the front three two seasons ago. For me, it would have been Firmino to be replaced though.
I know you could say Jota was brought in to do that but he's never been important enough that we couldn't leave him out. We'd be in better shape if a like for like replacement for Firmino came in two years ago, Salah and Mane wide and then added Diaz or someone like him.
We might have even won the Quad, haha.

3.) 30 May 2022
30 May 2022 18:21:16
Okay, many thanks for the reply Ed001. But I think you know the follow up question given your reasoning. Would you say the same for Salah? Is it time to let him go also? With the Salah question it's actually more about economics than football skill. Do you sell now or let him go on a free next summer, since ability wise on a yearly basis, the man has been consistent with what he is expected to produce (goals, goals, goals)?

{Ed001's Note - this summer it would have been the time if Mane had gone last summer. That way the front 3 would have evolved gradually. You don't want to lose 2 at once, so that has now messed with that and he needs to stay. It is not about economics, it is about evolving the team and moving it forward, the money should never be an issue.}

4.) 30 May 2022
30 May 2022 20:42:54
Agree with ed1 mane has been good this year but not the mane of old. Last year he dived and he’s gotten better this year but he needs to move on. Great player but Diaz replaced him. Firmino showed he has life in him yet and I’d keep him and salah for now. I still think we are screaming out for a finisher. Not necessarily a striker but someone who can score these easier to finish chances that we never seem to score.

5.) 31 May 2022
31 May 2022 02:03:21
Thanks again Ed001.

{Ed001's Note - very welcome mate. I hope you are all well and good there?}