Jurgen Klopp explains reasons behind new Liverpool signing

Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he has been watching new Liverpool signing Sadio Mane since 2012.

The Reds completed a reported £34m deal to sign the Senegal international on Tuesday afternoon as Klopp secured his second signing of the summer transfer window.

Mane had been linked with a host of the Premier League’s top clubs over the past season following an eye-catching two-year spell at Southampton since his move to St Mary’s in 2014.

Klopp took over the reins at Anfield in October and the Reds went on to finish in eighth place in the Premier League table before a 3-1 loss to Sevilla in Europa League final.

And the former Borussia Dortmund manager is confident that Mane will significantly improve his Liverpool squad ahead of the 2016/17 Premier League campaign.

“I have followed Sadio for a lot of years since his impressive performances in the Olympics in 2012, and then watched his development in Austria and in his time at Southampton,” Klopp told Liverpool’s website.

“Since I came here I have spoken to the staff a lot about him and have always felt he could be a very good signing for us. He has a lot of quality, works hard and has a very good goalscoring record.

“When I spoke to him I could tell that he was passionate about joining the club and playing for our fantastic fans. I think they will be just as excited about seeing him put on a Liverpool shirt as I am.

“It is great that we have managed to sign him so he can work with us from the first day of pre-season.”

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Mane scored 11 goals and made six assists in 37 Premier League appearances for the Saints in what ultimately proved to be his final season at St Mary’s.