Not exactly the news Reds will have wanted to wake up and read, nor is it the kind of news we wanted on the back off such an impressive Merseyside derby win.
Liverpool could be without Sadio Mane for the remainder of the season with the knee injury he picked up against Everton appearing to be worse than the club first thought.
The Senegalese star was substituted around the hour mark at Anfield after falling awkwardly during a tough challenge with Leighton Baines.
“The striker has suffered too much swelling to fully establish the extent of the damage suffered during the Merseyside derby at the weekend. A complete diagnosis is expected in the next 24 hours, but there was a palpable mood of anxiety at Melwood on Tuesday. The club is fearful Mane will miss the run-in as Liverpool fight for a Champions League place,” the Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe reported.
It seems inevitable that he will now miss at least Wednesday’s clash with Bournemouth and Saturday’s trip to face Stoke City. Mane’s absence poses as the latest setback in a so far injury-plagued 2017 for Liverpool, with Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana also sidelined with separate issues.
Mane’s departure for the African Cup of Nations and Liverpool’s subsequent downfall during January and February has triggered concerns over the team’s chances of securing a top four spot.
He has arguably been the club’s standout performer this season and losing him means going without the dimension that has fuelled the side’s attacking style of play.
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