Is Liverpool’s season over? No. Of course it isn’t.
But it’s been seriously, seriously damaged by Sadio Mane’s hamstring injury, which will keep the Senegalese winger out for six weeks, which could mean anything between 10 and 12 games.
Mane, alongside Coutinho, is our best player – but just when we badly need a good result to get out of our current rut – he’s going to be unavailable to us.
SEE MORE:
LFC’s XI with Mane absent; Coutinho position change key
Our next three games are utterly crucial. We play Manchester United at Anfield, where a loss will effectively see us out of a title race. Then, it’s Maribor, where if we don’t win our chances of Champions League qualification will become more difficult. Then Spurs, a rival for the top four, if not the title.
Mane is arguably the first name on our team-sheet, but now, we expect Coutinho to take his spot on the left wing – meaning Jurgen Klopp will have to fiddle with his midfield three.
Liverpool need to handle Mane’s injury in the same manner which Saturday’s opponents United have handled Paul Pogba’s. Jose Mourinho hasn’t moaned but backed the squad players to fill his gap, and so far, they have.
Now, it’s time for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to prove he’s worth £35m and a regular spot in Liverpool’s side. It’s time for Adam Lallana to return to health and show why he’s one of the Premier League’s most underrated creators and its best midfield presser.
And it’s time for Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah to start finishing their chances on a much more regular basis.
"Sadio Mane has sustained a hamstring injury that could keep him out for up to six weeks." pic.twitter.com/pjtg8g5qca
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) October 10, 2017
Massive blow for the Reds. Sadio Mane sidelined for up to 6 weeks with a hamstring injury #LFC
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) October 10, 2017
— Matt🕹 (@MxttRxm) October 10, 2017
— Mike 🇪🇹🇺🇸 (@mikiyaaaas) October 10, 2017
Good job we brought in enough quality in the summer to cope them wasn’t it James…. hang on wait !!!
— carl smith (@Carlos1Smith) October 10, 2017
— saf_adam (@SafwanAdam) October 10, 2017
Season is over if we don’t beat utd. Mane out because of shitty internationals literally NO ONE gives a fuck about. FUCKKKK
— Jack Moore (@Jack_Moore7) October 10, 2017
Sadio Mane injured like our season wasn’t already over. Hahahahahahaha
— Sean (@AsteriDunamis) October 10, 2017
Mane is out for 9 games, season over before November mad ting sad ting
— jake pearce (@Pearce92) October 10, 2017