After Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp spent the last week and a half hinting that Reds forward Sadio Mane could very well miss the rest of the season after sustaining a knee injury in the Merseyside Derby, the news that the Senegalese winger is set to go under the knife on Tuesday comes as little surprise to Kopites everywhere.
The Liverpool forward, who followed the familiar route from Southampton to Merseyside over the summer for a deal that could reach £36mil, shattered almost any lingering hope of playing again this season after posting a picture of his knee in a brace on social media last week. This news, of course, comes as a massive blow to the Reds hopes of securing a top four finish this season despite picking up a vital three-points against Stoke City at the weekend.
“Sadio will, we’re pretty sure, need surgery. We’re not 100 per cent sure when it will happen, but then it is clear his season is over,” said Klopp, speaking to the press ahead of the win over the Potters, confirming that the Senegalese attacker will go under the knife. “That’s what I expected, actually, when I saw the video after the game. I thought he was lucky in this situation that not more happened, but now we are close to the end of the season and that means it will be pretty much impossible that he will play again this season.”
Mane has become an integral cog in Klopp’s all-action system since making the move from the Saints, bagging 13-goals and assisting five more during his debut season. Expected to be out for eight weeks, the 25-year old will not only miss the Reds last six matches of the season, but also their post-season friendly against Australian side Sydney FC three days after they cap off the campaign at home to Middlesbrough. If all goes as plan, Mane should be ready to return to the side just as pre-season training is getting underway — and, hopefully, preparations for the Champions League.
