Sadio Mane is finally a Liverpool player

Whilst summer signings have been expected down at Anfield this summer, some may not have suspected Mane to be the first big one, and to cost in excess of £30m. The Senegal international had been at Southampton for two seasons, scoring 25 goals in the couple of years during his time on the South Coast.

It's an expensive bit of business for Jurgen Klopp's side, who will hope he can produce more good form upon arrival at Anfield.

But were there better alternatives than Mane for Jurgen to choose from? And perhaps players that may not have cost as much money in order to leave greater funds for another addition?

With that in mind, here's FIVE cheaper alternatives they could/should have pursued...

Andriy Yarmolenko

He was one of Ukraine's star men going into the Euros but it didn't quite come together for the Dynamo Kiev winger. But domestically, he's proven season-after-season that he is more than up to the job of providing both goals and assists for his side.

81 goals in just under two-hundred appearances is an impressive striking rate, and he would have cost a snip of the fee paid for Mane.

Hans Venaken

He's seen as one of the most exciting prospects in Belgian football and he showed his worth during his first season at Club Brugge last term. He's an attacking midfielder that can play both in behind the striker and on the wing and he grabbed a remarkable double for his former side Lokeren in a huge 3-2 win over fellow domestic giants Anderlecht back in 2013.

Eder

Eder is currently on international duty with the impressive Italian national team, who, aside from their defeat against plucky Ireland, have been one of the best sides out in France. And the Inter Milan man has truly shown what he has been about at the EUROs - offering his side a pacey option going down the middle, where he has played just behind Graziano Pelle.

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Pedro

Pedro has been slightly forgotten at Chelsea after Jose Mourinho's departure, and was used sparingly by interim manager Guus Hiddink. A move to Liverpool could have reinvigorated his career and due to his lack of games, could have come as a cheaper option than Sadio Mane.

He's got undoubted potential - Barcelona gave him plenty of game time at the Nou Camp - and what this man needs is consistent game time.

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