The secret Jurgen Klopp kept from Sadio Mane

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp kept a secret from Sadio Mane, admitted the Senegalese star, but what was it?

Sadio Mane was concerned that Mohamed Salah might make him a less liable for first team minutes under Jurgen Klopp, said 90min.com via the Echo.

Liverpool had signed Mane the previous season from Southampton and he had done well, even if he wasn’t yet the star he would become.

Klopp clearly saw that the former Saint would run his nuts off all game long, and liked that about the player, but even so Mane was concerned about his future in the side with so much competition for places.

And so the forward went to speak to his manager, who knew that Mane had nothing to worry about because Philippe Coutinho was due to leave Liverpool.

But he may have decided to leave that part out.

Instead, while they were having that conversation about Mane’s future playing time, the manager said he would manage his options through rotation – and he certainly managed it well.

"Mane explained: “He (Klopp) said he had confidence in me, and that with time I would play to the point of exhaustion. Even so, I told him I wanted to play.More from Rush The KopSet to return, Virgil Van Dijk facing heavy criticism back homeLiverpool making late comebacks all the rage once againWolves tilt gives Klopp opportunity to tinker with lineup following international dutyPlayers to watch in the matchup with WolvesPredicting Liverpool’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures“Klopp said he had to rotate his squad. There was also the fact Coutinho was close to leaving and he didn’t want to tell me that straight out.”"

The next six months proved to be a fruitful time for Liverpool as Coutinho started playing like someone who really, really wanted to impress Barcelona and secure his big move, while the supporting case of Mane, Roberto Firmino and Salah all chipped in with vital contributions.

There are plenty of reasons why Klopp would chose not to tell one of his players about any impending movements, but it’s still an interesting insight into the world of football management.

As we know, no harm came from it and the front three that stayed behind formed a formidable partnership that conquered Europe and is about to conquer the Premier League.

It’s also interesting to see how Mane thought he would be competing for the same space in the side as Salah when they have been fielded on opposite flanks for much of their Liverpool career.