Sadio Mane arrival - who's place does he take

Out and out striker - playing just behind the striker - out wide.

Seems we have not only bought someone capable of scoring but also capable of playing in a number of systems.

But there can only be eleven players on the pitch so who's place is the most under threat.

This graphic has him compared with Lallana.

When all fit, no brainer for me:

Mane         Firmino          Coutinho

Sturridge

And that genuinely excites me. Pace, power, precision and goals.

When all fit, no brainer for me:

Mane         Firmino          Coutinho

Sturridge

And that genuinely excites me. Pace, power, precision and goals.

I would swap Mane and Coutinho to the opposite sides.

Edit : It's me looking the other way around 

I have to think he replaces Lallana first and foremost; however his ability to play across the front 3 will allow the manager even more flexibility if Firmino/Coutinho go through a rough patch or if we have dire injury problems up top where Firmino can come in as striker and we don't lose out on the flanks.

Sturridge, Origi, Ings

Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana, Mane, Milner, Ojo, Ibe


Lots of flexibility up across the front 3 now, can see all of them being able to exchange positions with each other during a match and creating a real headache for a defense.

Long term this gives us time to continue to grow Ojo without pressure but it also means unless there is a real change that Ibe is getting knocked down the pecking order yet again and his days may be numbered.

           Coutinho
Lallana, Sturridge, Mane

Lallana has the ability to make runs behind the opposition defence, same with Sturridge and Mane. Perhaps Ings replacing Lallana eventually as an inside forward? Coutinho will have a field day.

I also like the idea of Firmino as a 9 with 2 quick wide forwards (Ojo and Mane?) and Coutinho behind.

           Coutinho
Lallana, Sturridge, Mane

Lallana has the ability to make runs behind the opposition defence, same with Sturridge and Mane. Perhaps Ings replacing Lallana eventually as an inside forward? Coutinho will have a field day.

I also like the idea of Firmino as a 9 with 2 quick wide forwards (Ojo and Mane?) and Coutinho behind.

Dropping Firmino? 10 goals and 7 assists in his first season?

I don't think he "takes" anyones place as we need different options for different opponents and halleluja, we've finally got options, really, really good ones, all across the front 4.

Obviously not all of them can start but how amazing is it that we'll have a really strong attacking bench too.  We will also suffer some injuries, players will go off form and no doubt during International breaks some will need longer than others for recovery time (2 brazilians).

I know last season was a long one but Cou only played 26 league games, Lallana 30 and Firmino 31 and if I recall correctly they were all subbed off (not together) in a few of those games, so having quality cover is fantastic.

The other great thing is that our existing players having genuine competition for their places will help them raise their own games, let's face it we complain how Cou needs to improve his consistency but it's been all too easy for him as who else would take his place over the last 3 and half years?

Dropping Firmino? 10 goals and 7 assists in his first season?

I just favour Lallana's pressing tbh. Could always put Firmino in Lallana's position and I still think we would do well. Just preference I guess! Either way, I feel we'll have a very strong attacking line up next season. Too many options, I feel for Klopp

I don't think he "takes" anyones place as we need different options for different opponents and halleluja, we've finally got options, really, really good ones, all across the front 4.

Obviously not all of them can start but how amazing is it that we'll have a really strong attacking bench too.  We will also suffer some injuries, players will go off form and no doubt during International breaks some will need longer than others for recovery time (2 brazilians).

I know last season was a long one but Cou only played 26 league games, Lallana 30 and Firmino 31 and if I recall correctly they were all subbed off (not together) in a few of those games, so having quality cover is fantastic.

The other great thing is that our existing players having genuine competition for their places will help them raise their own games, let's face it we complain how Cou needs to improve his consistency but it's been all too easy for him as who else would take his place over the last 3 and half years?

Smart woman talking....people should listen.

Lopsided starting 11?

                    Karius
Clyne     Lovren     Matip   Chilwell
                      Can
       Milner
            Coutinho  Firmino
                   Sturridge      Mane
             

Lopsided starting 11?

                    Karius
Clyne     Lovren     Matip   Chilwell
                      Can
       Milner
            Coutinho  Firmino
                   Sturridge      Mane
           

Using only who we've got as of right now I'd say this:

Karius
Clyne Lovren Sakho Moreno
Hendo Can
Mane      Firmino    Coutinho
Sturridge

For me, that's our best, possibly with Matip in for one of Lovren/Sakho. I don't see Mane coming in as a direct replacement for anyone. I think he adds a new dimension to our lineup that we've been missing and I think that Lallana still will be in competition with him, Couts, and Firmino at all times for those three spots and they can be changed at any point depending on their form and on the opposition.

This signing has certainly significantly strengthened our options and the overall firepower of our attack.

Using only who we've got as of right now I'd say this:

Karius
Clyne Lovren Sakho Gomez
Hendo Can
Mane      Firmino    Coutinho
Sturridge

That's the one change I'd make to that team, possibly with Origi rotating with Studge up front.

Karius
Clyne   Matip
Can  Milner
Mane  Firmino   Coutinho   Lallana
Sturridge  Origi

We'll just try to outscore 'em...

I would swap Mane and Coutinho to the opposite sides.

Edit : It's me looking the other way around 

I love seeing Coutinho cutting in and scoring some worldies.

Can see Lallana finding game time limited now.

Until the window closes I'm not giving up on this X1..........

                          Karius
       Clyne  Lovren  Matip  Hector
                      Hendo. Can
           Mane.  Coutinho.  Firmino
                        Sturridge
  Bench ;
              Mignolet,  Sakho, Moreno, Grujic
         Ings,  Ojo, Lallana

D'ya think we could beat Iceland with that lot?


YNWA

Until the window closes I'm not giving up on this X1..........

                          Karius
       Clyne  Lovren  Matip  Hector
                      Hendo. Can
           Mane.  Coutinho.  Firmino
                        Sturridge
  Bench ;
              Mignolet,  Sakho, Moreno, Grujic
         Ings,  Ojo, Lallana

D'ya think we could beat Iceland with that lot?


YNWA

No Origi?

I just favour Lallana's pressing tbh. Could always put Firmino in Lallana's position and I still think we would do well. Just preference I guess! Either way, I feel we'll have a very strong attacking line up next season. Too many options, I feel for Klopp

Good point with the pressing of Lallana. Not that Bobby is a slouch himself. Both runners.

Can't say I've looked closely at how Mané does press. If he's like those two, he'll do fine.

I don't really think he is comparable with Lallana. Two different players.

With Mane the talk is pace and power... with Lallana, he's all skill and flair. Lallana is absolutely on for right now too. He's playing really well for us, and he's had a great tournament. Firmino is actually more inconsistent than Lallana and could be more at risk.

Lallana doesn't bring goals, but I don't think that's his thing. I don't see why he is criticised for it. He offers something else.

I don't really think he is comparable with Lallana. Two different players.

With Mane the talk is pace and power... with Lallana, he's all skill and flair. Lallana is absolutely on for right now too. He's playing really well for us, and he's had a great tournament. Firmino is actually more inconsistent than Lallana and could be more at risk.

Lallana doesn't bring goals, but I don't think that's his thing. I don't see why he is criticised for it. He offers something else.

It's nice to have options and not "whose playing less sh*t?"

Genuinely excited. We have plenty of options and different styles of players at our disposal now.

I don't really think he is comparable with Lallana. Two different players.

With Mane the talk is pace and power... with Lallana, he's all skill and flair. Lallana is absolutely on for right now too. He's playing really well for us, and he's had a great tournament. Firmino is actually more inconsistent than Lallana and could be more at risk.

Lallana doesn't bring goals, but I don't think that's his thing. I don't see why he is criticised for it. He offers something else.

If you play as a number 10 then you definitely need to offer goals whether that's scoring or assisting a bunch. It's a huge part of that role. The good thing about Lallana is he can play in a number of positions. The addition of Mane may push him to being a squad player next season though (at the top end of the list).

No Origi?

Yeah he's having a rest after helping Belgium win the Euro's,
 
My bad mate I'll guess he'll rotate with Ings.


YNWA

I don't really think he is comparable with Lallana. Two different players.

With Mane the talk is pace and power... with Lallana, he's all skill and flair. Lallana is absolutely on for right now too. He's playing really well for us, and he's had a great tournament. Firmino is actually more inconsistent than Lallana and could be more at risk.

Lallana doesn't bring goals, but I don't think that's his thing. I don't see why he is criticised for it. He offers something else.

Thing is there is a point with that forward line where it is about the numbers and putting goals in the pack of the net; still feel Adam has an important role to play however if all other things are equal the player who is putting the ball in the back of the net is going to be the one out there playing. When we bought him after his final season at Southampton he as a 1/4 goal scorer...now he is a 1/5-1/6...no matter how hard you work when your up top as part of the "3" you simply have to be better than 1/6.

Historically from his first days as a "pro" and throughout League 1, the Championship and the PL he is a 1/5 and at 28 years old its hard to see him pushing past his lifetime average.

Fantastic work ethic, ball skills and really fantastic player to come of the bench..which is where over time I think he is heading and a very similar type player to a Joe Allen who is probably just shy of being good enough for starting XI but would be fantastic as a versatile  sub.