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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Barcelona given Liverpool transfer declaration over Sadio Mane and Luis Suarez

Barcelona legend Xavi has told his former club to not pursue a deal for Liverpool forward Sadio Mane.

Mane has been in outstanding form this season to help Jurgen Klopp's side win the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup and stand a record 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The Senegal international was last term integral in Liverpool winning the Champions League - including beating Barcelona in the semi-finals - and shared the Premier League Golden Boot with team-mate Mohamed Salah and Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Reports in Spain over recent months have suggested Mane is among several players Barcelona are assessing as they prepare to overhaul their forward line with Luis Suarez expected to leave in the summer.

But Barcelona great Xavi believes Mane would not be best suited to playing at Camp Nou and compared him to former Red Suarez.

"Mane and Aubemeyang can kill you in open space," he said.

"But Barcelona need players who know how to move in small spaces.

"I am thinking about player who would adapt to Barcelona and it’s not easy to find one.

"Samuel Eto’o was perfect as is Luis Suarez right now."

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