Robert Lewandowski transfer news: Bundesliga expert reveals why Bayern man is ‘perfect’ Liverpool replacement for Sadio Mane

A Bundesliga football expert has told TEAMtalk that Robert Lewandowski would slot seamlessly into Jurgen Klopp’s team, if the Reds make a bid to land him this summer.

With Liverpool set to lose Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich, there’s a logical swap deal that continues to intrigue Reds fans and it involves a certain prolific Polish frontman.

Nobody in the Merseysiders’ camp wants Mane to move on. But it seems the Senagalese frontman is set on finding a fresh challenge.

It’s easy to see why Bayern would come in for the 30-year-old. He’s one of the most respected forwards around and they had a first-hand glimpse in 2019 when Mane scored twice in the Allianz Arena to dump the Germans out of the Champions League in the last 16.

Mane has since taken his goal tally for the Reds to 120 over six seasons and helped Liverpool win every major trophy under Klopp.

But, say Liverpool supporters, if you’re going to take Mane, we’ll have Robert Lewandowski in return.

The benchmark for a top striker is one goal in every two games. However, the Pole has made a mockery of that ratio during his time in the Bundesliga.

In the season just gone, Lewandowski banged in 35 league goals, 11 more than nearest rival Patrik Schick, and once more helped the Bavarian powerhouses to the title.

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Add in all games for club and country and Lewandowski has netted 56 times in 54 appearances this term.

In 2020/21 he scored 56 in 50 and in 2019/20 it was 59 in 53. Averaging better than a goal a game in each of the last three seasons is astonishing.

Lewandowski would make seamless transition

But could he have that same impact if swapping the red of Bayern for the red of Liverpool?

The answer is ‘yes’, according to German football analyst and scout Jasmine Baba.

The Bundesliga expert told TEAMtalk: “Lewandowski fits Klopp’s football having played under him for his whole time at Dortmund [2010 to 2014].

“While we know how clinical Lewandowski is and how well he suits a heavily possessional team, what people might not remember is that Lewandowski was Klopp’s first line of defence under his intensive pressing style of play which won Dortmund two Bundesliga titles.

“Even though that was eight years ago, he also showed these abilities more recently in a more direct and vertical style under [former Bayern boss] Hansi Flick.

“Over time, Lewandowski has built up and improved his link-up play. That would be perfect for how Klopp utilises his forwards in the Premier League.

“I believe, even at 33 years of age, he could slot into that Liverpool team almost as well as he does at Bayern.”

Of course, Lewandowski’s age is one of the big negatives surrounding a possible move to Anfield.

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That doesn’t fit Liverpool’s model of drafting in younger players although it’s worth noting that the Reds were happy to veer from such a policy when signing another former Bayern player, Thiago Alcantara, two summers ago.

Thiago was 29 at the time – although that’s still four years younger than Lewandowski.

A look at the Pole’s physique suggests he keeps himself as fit as ever. Although he would actually turn 34 a week into next season.

Would Liverpool be prepared to view this as a short-term project and pay Lewandowski’s hefty wages, believed to be £350,000 a week at Bayern?

It’s a lot of money but Lewandowski is a difference-maker. And, despite winning two trophies, the Reds failed to score in any of their three major finals last season.

Manchester United have been happy to indulge front players the wrong side of 30 down the years. Although accommodating Cristiano Ronaldo (now 37) last season appeared to cause a trade-off between the Portuguese’s goals and any hope of adopting a pressing style.

But Lewandowski still has the legs to close opponents down. And he knows, having played under Klopp, that it would be demanded.

If there’s life in the story, it appears cost/wages rather than playing style would cause Liverpool to have reservations.

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