Sadio Mane has revealed that Jurgen Klopp tried to sign him before the pair eventually teamed up at Liverpool in the summer.
The forward joined the Anfield-based club from Southampton for a reported £34m in July, but divulged that Klopp had already tried to work with him earlier in his career in an interview with the BBC's Football Focus programme.
The German - manager of Borussia Dortmund at the time - was keen on enticing Mane away from the Austrian version of the Bundesliga during the 24-year-old's spell at former club Red Bull Salzburg.
However, Mane stated that a proposed move to the Westfalonstadion failed to materialise, and he remained with his then employers until Southampton came calling in September 2014.
The pair did eventually link up on Merseyside when Mane completed his move from St.Mary's stadium, and explained that he was delighted to finally be working alongside Klopp at Anfield.
He said: "Before I came here, I had a chance to meet him when he was with Borussia Dortmund.
Sadio Mane reveals Klopp tried to sign him at Dortmund. Full interview on Football Focus tomorrow. https://t.co/YAx9TNQyAk
"At the time I remember I was playing for Red Bull Salzburg and he tried to sign me, but it didn't happen and that's football sometimes.
"He is a good manager and is someone who likes his players.
"At the end of last season, he called me and told me he wanted me to come to Liverpool. I said straight away that I wanted to come. It was a good moment and came at the right time. He was the right coach for me.
"I am very happy to be here today."
Mane, who has notched three goals in his opening six matches for Liverpool is expected to be part of Klopp's starting line up when the Reds face North West rivals Manchester United on home soil on Monday.
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