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Liverpool have lined up Southampton forward Sadio Mane as a potential alternative to Mario Gotze.

The ECHO understands that Jurgen Klopp is a big admirer of the Senegal international, having kept tabs on Mane since his days at Red Bull Salzburg.

Mane scored 15 goals for Southampton last season and it is understood that the Reds will face strong competition from the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham for the player’s signature.

No approach has yet been made by Liverpool for the 24-year-old, who is rated at around £25m. Southampton resisted an offer from Man United last summer and are likely to be keen to hang on to their prized asset again this year.

The Reds were actually close to a deal for Mane back in 2014, but then manager Brendan Rodgers declined the chance to sign the forward, who would then move to Southampton in a £12m deal. He has since scored 25 goals in 75 games for the Saints - including a double against the Reds last season as Southampton overturned a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 at St Mary’s.

Liverpool have signed Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren and Nathaniel Clyne from the South Coast club in the last two years.

Liverpool’s interest comes after Gotze seemingly confirmed his desire to stay at Bayern Munich earlier this week.

The German World Cup winner had been a £20m target for Klopp, who was keen on a reunion with a player with whom he worked with at Dortmund, but the 23-year-old admitted he was keen to stay in the Bundesliga to work with new Bayern boss Carlo Ancelotti.

“I look forward to the new season in Munich,” Gotze was quoted as saying. “I’ll do everything to be in top shape during Ancelotti’s first training.”

Liverpool are also keen to sign Borussia Monchengladbach midfield Mamhoud Dahoud and will step up their interest in Leicester full-back Ben Chilwell.

The Reds have already secured deals for Mainz goalkeeper Loris Karius, Schalke defender Joel Matip and Red Star Belgrade midfielder Marko Grujic.