Liverpool legend Ian Rush says Sadio Mane's sale will reflect poorly on the board.

Mane looks set to sign for Bayern Munich this summer, with the German giants already making two failed bids for the Senegal striker, who has been a key figure in Liverpool's success story under Jurgen Klopp, making it clear he wants to go.

"What Liverpool need to be doing right now is strengthening their squad and letting Mane go isn't going to do that," Rush told the Sunday World at a Gambling.com event in London.

"We need to prepare ourselves for how strong Manchester City are going to be next year, because they're already looking formidable.

"They're going to be stronger, so we have to be stronger, too. It's a big concern because nobody wants Mane to leave, especially with the form he's been in this year.

"I'm still hopeful that all three will stay - Mane, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino - and I'm sure Jurgen Klopp feels the same, so let's hope something can be sorted out.

"If any of them were to leave, it would be a big disappointment, but we'd just have to look to the future regardless.

"The real strength of this Liverpool team over the last couple of years has been their strength in depth.

"I look at the bench in some of the games at the back end of this season and it was incredible. Signing Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota brought a new dimension to the forward line.

"You feel now that Liverpool are no longer relying on one or two players to win them a game, but that will change if Mane, and maybe even Salah, goes, so Liverpool need to be careful of losing players as that strength in depth will be impacted.

"Liverpool will need to spend a lot money to replaced players of that calibre, but it's not just about money. It's finding players who are as good as Mane and Salah and that won't be easy."