Since Sadio Mane’s £34 million transfer to Liverpool from Southampton in 2016, Liverpool ticket prices have been a hotly debated topic. In the 2017-2018 season, Liverpool made it to the Champions League final. However, their success has not come without its consequences. Ticket prices for the semi-final and the final matches were raised to £77 and £513, respectively.
This substantial increase in ticket prices caused a lot of backlash from Liverpool fans. Some people argue that the high ticket prices are a result of Sadio Mane’s transfer fee. Others believe that the club is simply taking necessary business steps. However, as it stands, fans are not bothered about Liverpool ticket prices. Instead, they are all about the performances and how their favourite English club is winning them a trophy. Perhaps, this is why all concerns are on Sadio Mane, the club’s legendary forward player, who reportedly will be leaving Liverpool after six years.
Sadio Mane: The Red Legend
Although they are nicknamed ‘The Reds’ because of their red home kit, Liverpool football club has lived up to the accolade of being England’s “Red”. No wonder Liverpool ticket prices are the latest hot subject on every football lover’s lips, Liverpool fan or not. It is important to note that Liverpool is owned by Fenway Sports Group, and they have a lot of money in the bank. They also have one of the most expensive season tickets in the Premier League (the most expensive is Manchester United). The success of the Liverpool football club has largely been down to their attacking trio of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.
However, now that Sadio Mane is currently leaving Liverpool, the fate of the club appears bleak. He moved to the club from Southampton in 2016 and has since become a key member of the team. The Senegal international has scored 36 goals and made 17 assists in his 87 appearances for the club. Mane was voted African Footballer of the Year twice, in 2016 and 2017, and an award was given by CAF to Africa’s most outstanding footballer of that year. In 2018 he was named Liverpool Player of the Season, won Liverpool’s Players’ Player of the Season Award and was voted into their all-time Premier League team by their fans. How possible is Liverpool to get an ideal replacement for him with these feats?
Is He Irreplaceable?
If we would take the words of Dean Saunders, he could be irreplaceable. And that may spell defeat for the future of Liverpool. Not just that, there were also rumours that Mohmad Salah could be leaving as well, which he had debunked. However, his contract ends in June 2023, leaving the club with relatively few options and prospects. Consequently, Liverpool may be looking towards diminishing changes in ticket prices.
If Sadio Mane’s presence influences its ratings, a replacement should be in the works. But the question remains; how do the reds replace a legend like Sadio Mane? Will the club be buying a new forward player, or will there be a rise of an incumbent player from the club to fill Mane’s shoes? Fingers are crossed.
