Latest reports suggest that Liverpool might be handed a major blow as Senegal star Sadio Mane could miss the rest of the season because of the injury he suffered against Everton in the Merseyside Derby.
Sadio Mane suffered an injury after he was involved in a clash with Everton’s Leighton Baines. Though he tried to carry on, he was eventually taken off after 57 minutes, much to the worry of the Liverpool faithful. Now, reports say that Sadio Mane might not return this season.
Jurgen Klopp earlier admitted that there is no like-to-like replacement available for Sadio Mane and that he has to manage with the available resources. Full-back Trent-Alexander Arnold might turn out to be one of the options, having played on the wings in his youth career, while Coutinho will be the one who will have to carry the weight of the explosive Senegal winger.
Though the initial signs were positive, with Mane leaving the stadium with no knee support or crutches, it now appears that he has damaged his knee ligament, with Daily Mail claiming that a surgery cannot be ruled out either.
If Mane is ruled out for the season, it will be a disaster for Jurgen Klopp’s plans, as he is already without injured Adam Lallana for up to a month and Jordan Henderson. Daniel Sturridge is only edging back to fitness after a hip issue and hurrying him up wouldn’t be a wise thing to do.
The £34m summer signing is Liverpool’s top goalscorer this season with 13 strikes to his name and he opened the scoring in the Merseyside Derby at the weekend with a brilliant finish.
Klopp’s squad looks increasingly light on number but Divock Origi, who also scored a goal in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Everton, is determined to seize his chance.
Origi has endured a season of frustration and has only started 7 Premier League games. He spoke out while away on international duty about the lack of opportunities he had been afforded but seems ready to make an impact now. He said:
“I always said that I’m ready to be an important player for the team. I really believe it. I’m not just an option for the future, I’m an option for now. I want to do everything to get in the team. The coach has several choices and that is only good for the team. Like I said, the team is most important and we have to finish strong. I hope I can play a big part in the end of the season.
“I’m very ambitious and I believe in my qualities. Like I say, I’m ready and ready now to do whatever. But you have to put everything in and show it on the pitch. I always respect the decision of the coach.”
Though there are no straight replacements available, Klopp can look to play Roberto Firmino on the wing and use Origi as the focal point in attack to compensate for the loss of Mane as the end of the season run-in looks to be an intense one with Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United all chasing a place in the top four.
