Jurgen Klopp Admits To Latest Injury Woes – This Would Worry Liverpool Fans

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Senegal star Sadio Mane is irreplaceable in the team and said that they do not have a like-to-like replacement for the winger.

Mane has been absolutely brilliant for Liverpool this campaign and is their leading goalscorer. His absence was heavily felt when he departed for the Africa Cup Of Nations tournament back in January.

Klopp suggested immediately after the final whistle that his top scorer would certainly not be available for the Bournemouth clash and said he was unsure of any more accurate diagnosis than that.

While the Liverpool camp would be hoping that the knock he suffered isn’t anything serious, the Reds boss would be planning to cope without the explosive winger.

Klopp was quoted by Liverpool Echo: “We can cope with his absence (Mane) but we don’t have a one for one replacement. That is the truth and hopefully Daniel Sturridge can be available. Trent was brought in (on Saturday), Ben Woodburn. If he’s injured (Mane) that it is not cool and that is why I don’t feel 100% happy. Now we have three days to find ‘the solution’ but we don’t have a one on one replacement.”

Liverpool’s run of one win in 7 games during Mane’s absence from the squad earlier in the season saw them drop out of the title race. However, Jurgen would be keen on avoiding another dismal run which would spoil their chances of a top-4 finish.

Asked if he learned anything from that period, Klopp simply replied: “Yes we missed his speed.”

Alexander-Arnold impressed in his cameo against Everton and forced a save off Joel Robles. The 18-year old has so far been deployed in the Liverpool first team as a right-back, but he’s played his youth career further up the pitch and it showed that he is a good player while going forward. He might be the right replacement for Mane on the right wing.

Another man who can possibly replace Mane is Brazilian superstar Philippe Coutinho. Klopp admitted that he was delighted to see the Brazilian’s disappointment at his substitution but wanted to save his legs after his long journey back from international duty.

He said: “Everyone could see. He could have (carried on making) a difference with his genius passing and his speed, but it was a decision because we really need him and 70 minutes was absolutely enough after his trip and playing the games for Brazil.

“For Roberto (Firmino) we don’t have that many options especially with the early change because of Sadio, so he had to play through. It was a fantastic game from him (Coutinho), absolutely fantastic, in both directions – offensive and defensive – that was really good.”

“I am happy, happy, happy about this. His reaction (to being subbed) is a positive, he wants to play football and felt like he could. 20 minutes more in his legs for Wednesday.”

Klopp would be hoping that his team comes out unscathed against Bournemouth as any further injuries to his players would surely mean a disaster for Liverpool. The Reds are now 6 points ahead of Manchester United, who are 5^th

The Anfield outfit would be keen on maintaining their momentum and finishing in the top-4 than to throw the golden opportunity away and regret it.