Jurgen Klopp did have something to cheer in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Anfield. Not only did the Reds halt a run of three consecutive defeats at their home ground, they also saw the return of their talisman from this season, Sadio Mane.
The Senegal star was rushed back to England from the African Cup of Nations as he missed a crucial penalty for his national side in the competition that saw them getting knocked out.
The Reds had struggled to perform without their big money signing from Southampton and the attacker did play 15 minutes in the second half in place of another star player, Philippe Coutinho.
Mane might not have played to his potential and there were fears that the player was injured but Klopp stated that none of this was true and the Senegal star is fit and raring to go for the next game.
“I didn’t ask until now but when he came into the dressing room, I saw I don’t know exactly what it was, but I had a look at it and said, ‘Oh my God, what’s happened?’ ‘All good, all good’ [Mane said],” the manager was quoted as saying after the match by Liverpool’s official website. “Recovery prevention – cold, hot [packs]. I didn’t ask until now, but there are no problems.”
That will come as welcome relief for the Premier League side and their fans. January has been a poor month for the Reds as they only won one game that too came against Plymouth in the replay of the FA Cup.
They were also knocked out of the FA Cup and League Cup, at home, and didn’t win a single Premier League game during the time Mane was away from the side. The winger has been one of the best signings in the Premier League this season and has carried his form from Southampton.
It might have come as a surprise but Klopp did state that Mane would be a big player for the team. The 24-year-old has become one of the biggest weapons for the Liverpool side and his movement and pace have made him difficult to deal with for the opposition.
Mane has scored nine goals and provided four assists for the Reds in the Premier League and if he is fit to start in the next match against Hull City, the Senegal star could be celebrating a victory for the Reds with a great performance.
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