Liverpool star Sadio Mane says he was ‘thinking more about Manchester United’ before his transfer from Southampton in 2016.
The Senegalese international moved to Anfield in a £34million deal four years ago, and has become a leading light in Jurgen Klopp’s side.
But it took Mane a while to catch Klopp’s eye, with the German coach admitting in the documentary Made in Senegal that he ‘looked like a rapper’ when he turned down the chance to sign the now Liverpool star for Borussia Dortmund.
"There was a really young guy sitting there," Klopp recounted. "His baseball cap was askew, the blond streak he still has today… he looked like a rapper just starting out."
"I thought ‘I don’t have time for this".
"I’d say I have a pretty good feeling for people, but I was wrong."
And Mane has now admitted that, before Liverpool’s interest materialised, he wasn’t expecting it.
"Not really," replied Mane, when asked by The Times whether he thought Liverpool would come knocking.
"We [Mane and his agent] were thinking most about Manchester United."
"That was a tough time for me as I was on the bench so I was not thinking about anyone calling me but I was pleased he [Klopp] did and was not thinking I was a rapper. "
