As fans, it’s been pretty painful watching Sadio Mane tear up the African Cup of Nations during Senegal’s first two fixtures – but it’s likely been worse for Liverpool’s manager Jurgen Klopp!
Klopp gambled on Mane during the summer, with many suggesting we overpaid for the former Southampton flyer, but with nine Premier League goals already, he’s well and truly silenced any doubters.
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Mane’s scored two in two for Senegal, while we’ve lost our goalscoring touch without him in the side.
“I text him last night,” Klopp told the Express today during a lacked Melwood press-conference. “I told him I could really kick him in the lower back!
“Mixed emotions but as long as he is fit.”
Senegal have qualified for the knock-out stages, with the quarterfinals taking place on January 28th. Hopefully they get knocked out and our winger can return unscathed, but judging by how they’ve started, they could well get all the way to the final on February 5th!
So for the next week, we’re unashamedly supporting anyone Mane’s up against.
Sorry Sadio – but we need you!
(And although he won’t say it publicly, we’re pretty sure Klopp’s thinking the same!)