Sadio Mane 'pivotal' signing but Liverpool have overspent, says Anfield legend Phil Thompson

Sadio Mane is a key - if expensive - acquisition for Liverpool, says Phil Thompson

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson believes Sadio Mane will be a pivotal signing for the club - but feels they have overspent in securing his services.

The Reds have paid a fee of £36m including add-ons for the Southampton winger, who becomes Jurgen Klopp's fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of midfielder Marko Grujic, centre-back Joel Matip and goalkeeper Loris Karius.

Thommo deems the acquisition of Mane most significant and thinks the 24-year-old injects much-needed pace into Liverpool's attack, while also helping Klopp impose his preferred style of football.

He told Sky Sports: "I see it as an absolutely pivotal signing, one that was needed as the other attacking midfielders are more technical players and don't really have the pace.

Sadio Mane scored four times against Liverpool last season

"Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino are all quite similar so I'm not surprised Klopp has looked to add something different - a player that gives them a threat on the counter-attack and also adds goals.

"Daniel Sturridge also seems to have lost his pace a bit, probably due to the amount of injuries, which we saw with Michael Owen, so there's only really Divock Origi who can stretch teams."

Thommo believes Mane will offer something different in attack to the likes of Roberto Firmino

The Soccer Saturday pundit does, however, feel that the club have overspent, with Sky Sports News HQ understanding that the Reds have parted with £34m up front with £2m more to be paid in performance-related add-ons.

"I think we've paid far too much for him," Thommo added.

Liverpool have spent around £34m to sign Mane from Southampton Liverpool have spent around £34m to sign Mane from Southampton

"Perhaps it's because of the money coming into the Premier League. Just look at Crystal Palace reportedly making a £31m bid for Michy Batshuayi.

"It's the same with Manchester United stumping up £30m for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, a 27-year-old who doesn't score as much as Mane."