After being ruled out for the remainder of the season, Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane went under the knife on Thursday with the operation on his knee deemed a success. The Senegalese attacker is expected to be sidelined for the next eight weeks and won’t be back on the pitch until the Reds start pre-season training.
“It’s great that I have received so many encouraging messages from fans around the world, particularly on social media,” said Mane, giving an update to the club’s official website. “It makes me proud and gives me so much power that so many supporters of Liverpool FC and Senegal give me such great support.”
By the time he’s back on the pitch, Liverpool will hopefully be preparing themselves for Champions League football; the Reds are within touching distance of securing a return to Europe’s premier club competition, but with six matches left to play, bitter rivals Manchester United and Arsenal are hot on their heels. Mane, who opened the scoring in the Merseyside Derby, has been out of action since the 3-1 win over Everton earlier in the month, having been helped off the pitch after getting in a tangle with Toffee’s fullback Leighton Baines early in the second half. The pacey winger has become and integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans since moving from Southampton for £36mil over the summer, picking up 13-goals and assisting on five more since the start of the season, securing his place as a new fan favorite.
“I’d like to say thank you to everyone,” added Mane, obviously overwhelmed with the deluge of message he’s received through social media. “I will give my very best after yesterday’s successful surgery to be back on the pitch as soon as possible and be even better than before.”
