Hamann explains why ex-Liverpool star Mane is ‘suffering’ at Bayern – ‘you have to understand’

Dietmar Hamann thinks Sadio Mane’s struggles at Bayern Munich are due to him being “worn out” after playing at his maximum for Liverpool.

Mane surpassed expectations at as he formed a feared front three alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.

He grabbed 120 goals and 48 assists in 269 appearances for Liverpool as he helped them win the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League.

The Senegal international opted to leave the club last summer as he entered the final year of his contract at Anfield. He joined Bayern Munich in a deal worth around £35m.

The 30-year-old has been in and out of the team this term as he has been involved in 15 goals in 29 games across all competitions. He was out of action for a couple of months with a leg injury and he was dragged off at half-time last month as Bayern Munich were beaten 2-1 by Bayer Leverkusen.

Mane was at his best when playing on the left flank for Liverpool, but he has often been operated as a striker this term.

Hamann is wary that Mane “doesn’t play well” up front and he is “worn out like most Liverpool players”.

“I think he can play up front, but he doesn’t play that well there,” Hamann told Sky Germany. “He is most effective when he plays outside. With Choupo-Moting he would have a congenial partner like Firmino was at Liverpool for years.”

He added: “He’s a machine. But at the moment, like most players in Liverpool, he’s suffering from a piston attack. I think he’s just worn out.

“At some point it’s good. At the moment, when Coman and Sane are fit, they have to play, so he has to queue up.”

Thomas Tuchel has replaced Julian Nagelsmann to become Bayern Munich’s new manager.

He feels it “can take a while” for players to “feel one thousand per cent comfortable” after joining a new club.

“There is no question that Sadio is an absolute top player. He has 20, 30 goals a season for Liverpool in the toughest league in the world at an exceptional level. He won all the titles with Liverpool and was an absolute key player.”

He continued: “The importance and the potential is beyond question – but that even at that age and with the playing experience, a change of club can mean that it takes time and that you acclimatize.

“You have to understand the new club and feel one thousand per cent comfortable. It probably starts with little things like ‘how is the way to the stadium’ or ‘how does my family get to the stadium’.

“Things that have been ingrained over the years are all stirred up again and have to be adjusted. And that can take a while.”