Jurgen Klopp Shrugs Off Sadio Mane Speculation, But Concerned Over New Paris Pitch

Jurgen Klopp shrugged off the distraction of speculation over Sadio Mane's future as he prepared for Liverpool's Champions League final against Real Madrid on a fresh pitch at the Stade de France.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp shrugged off the distraction of speculation over Sadio Mane's future as he prepared for Saturday's Champions League final against Real Madrid on a fresh pitch at the Stade de France. Mane, whose contract expires in 2023, has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich. The Senegalese told reporters this week he will reveal a "special" answer to questions over where he will play next season after the final. "This is the wrong moment to speak about that. Wherever Sadio plays next season he will be a big player," Klopp said when quizzed on whether Mane would be a good addition to the Bundesliga.

"The Bayern Munich rumours I couldn't care less in the moment. Sadio is fully focused on the game, no concerns.

"It's not the first time in my life before a big game Bayern Munich rumours come up."

That was a reference to the 2013 Champions League final when Mario Goetze lined up for Klopp's Borussia Dortmund in a 2-1 defeat to Bayern despite having already agreed to join the Bavarians the following season.

Klopp also suffered defeat in his second European Cup final when Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 in Kyiv in 2018.