Not immediately. How long did we go without a decent keeper once Reina left? How long without a decent fullback after we lost Riise and Arabeloa/Finnan? There was a hole when Carragher left. Mascherano? Huge hole when he left. Alonso? Most of those holes we didn't properly fill until Klopp. (Could say we still don't have anyone to rival Mash in his position). Losing players does not always mean we immediately get a new equal replacement. There's no guarantee that if we lost Mane we could get an equal or better replacement. The thing about Mane is, he has been sloppy this season but he never gives up... He's always the one player giving his all... He gets so many tries to miss because he's working hard. He does need to improve this season... Won't argue with that.
He’s also a good egg. Always gets forgotten about when it comes to impact off the pitch to team morale etc.
As I said, be it age or whatever reason for players going, there is always another player. It's just the nature of things I note that as soon as a few midfielders got fit everyone stopped on about wijnaldum for example.
Mash was best DM in world at the time. Him Alonso Gerrard Sissoko… many would sing the best midfield in the world.
Sissoko could barely roll the ball 5 yards The trick was gerrard could go be undisciplined and drive on cos the door behind was locked up tight.
Best defensive midfielder around at the time. . He could take the ball from anyone in spectacular style. One of my all time fave LFC footballers. He didn't score goals and wasn't an expert passer (which, when we had Alonso and Gerrard in the team wasn't a big deal) but he did one job really well.
Just seen a so-called strong rumour for Ford joining Everton. Now, I know he gets linked to all and sundry because Barcelona are desperate to get rid but does anyone see him joining a PL club this window? Everton would be a nice fit but don't see an agreement being reached. I think Newcastle are a more likely destination; quality player that won't have lots of options but the Geordie will be prepared to pay over the odds for.