Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy believes the departure of his compatriot Sadio Mane could have a 'huge impact' on Liverpool next season.
Having intimated that he was open to a new challenge at the end of last season, Mane completed a transfer to Bayern Munich for just £35m in June, having declined to sign a new contract at Anfield.
Mane's departure was unexpected, although Liverpool had ready-made replacements in the form of January signing Luis Diaz and early summer arrival Darwin Nunez.
However, Chelsea's Senegal goalkeeper Mendy believes his international teammate's exit could still have a big effect on the Reds.
Asked about Mane's move during the Blues' pre-season tour in the US, Mendy said: “I think it is a big loss for the Premier League in terms of quality and in terms of the person.
“We’ve lost someone great and I hope for him he will enjoy the Bundesliga."
Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea side will be hoping to close the gap to both Liverpool and champions Man City next season having fallen away in the title race last season, and it's clear that Mendy feels Mane's absence could have an effect.
The stopper added: “He’s also a big loss [to Liverpool] because of his quality, the impact he makes and also because, for the young players, he’s an example. When you lose someone like this it can have a huge impact.”
Source : 90min