Clever: Martin Keown has interesting theory about Sadio Mane handshake drama – HITC

Photo by PAUL ELLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Martin Keown is wondering whether Jurgen Klopp engaged in some clever man-management by dropping Sadio Mane for Liverpools 4-2 win at Manchester United last night, speaking totalkSPORT(14 May, 10.20am).

Were used to seeing the Liverpool gaffer embrace his players in the warmest of bear hugs after a victory like that.

Sowhen Mane ignored Klopps handshake and stormed off the Old Trafford pitch, shaking his head as he went, you didnt need Jordan Peterson to tell you something wasnt quite right in the Anfield camp.

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Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Klopp suggested Mane had been infuriated by his sudden decision to drop the struggling Senegal international in favour of Diogo Jota.

Klopp admitted he failed to tell Mane he wouldnt be starting a crunch Premier League fixture until just before kick-off.

But, according to Arsenal legend Keown, the Liverpool manager may be using a psychological trick to deliver a proverbial boot up the backside to a player who, in his own words, is enduring the worst season of my career.

Keown mused: For Mane, it was like: I dont want to show that everything is alright publicly because it isnt. You didnt have the respect to speak to me (and tell me Id been dropped).

Maybe it might help the player be a bitmore angry, to give a bit more in his performance. It might have been clever from the manager because hes normally brilliant at that sort of thing.

I always thought it was nice, respectful, to hear from the manager whytheyre going to leave you out of the team rather than just naming the side. It was definitely against what Klopp normally does.

If you overindulge the players and then you change, thats how you get a reaction.

Jurgen Klopp is trying to get something from the player. (Mane) has been disappointing. He said himself hes had a disastrous season so you want to see some sort of reaction on the pitch and thats what youll see until the end of the season.

Klopps decision certainly looks like the right one with the benefit of hindsight. The incoming Jota cancelled out Bruno Fernandes opener with an impudent backheel, all the while causing Uniteds shaky back line no end of problems with his exceptional movement in the final third.

Mane, in contrast, squandered one glorious opportunity when he finally came off the bench with 16 minutes remaining.

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Clever: Martin Keown has interesting theory about Sadio Mane handshake drama - HITC