Transfer Centre

John Aldridge warns Sadio Mane against repeating Philippe Coutinho mistake

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 14 April 2020

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane is warned by John Aldridge to learn from Philippe Coutinho's time at Barcelona before considering rumoured interest from Real Madrid.

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has warned Sadio Mane that he risks his career 'falling flat' if he joins Real Madrid.

Spanish giants Madrid are rumoured to have stepped up their interest in Mane by making contact with the Reds over an end-of-season transfer.

Liverpool were powerless to stopping Philippe Coutinho pushing through a move to Barcelona two years ago, but the Brazilian struggled in his first 18 months at Camp Nou and has spent 2019-20 on loan with Bayern Munich.

Aldridge, who won the top flight with Liverpool in 1988, has urged Mane to learn from Coutinho's mistake.

"Not all who leave Liverpool go on to struggle. Look at Raheem Sterling at Manchester City," he told the Liverpool Echo. "But Philippe Coutinho is a great example in recent times of where it can go wrong.

"He was at the pinnacle of his career when he left Liverpool for Barcelona, but it has all since fallen somewhat flat. What's more, Liverpool are a better team than either Barcelona or Real at present.

"Look, I have a lot of feeling for Barcelona in particular. When I played in Spain, I used to love going there and it was a lucky ground for me. But the Premier League is the best league in the world."

Mane has 14 goals and seven assists in the Premier League for Liverpool this season.