Liverpool have been hit with a fresh injury concern ahead of their decisive final-day Premier League clash at home to Brighton.
The Reds enter the contest in need of a win to fend off a late push from Chelsea and seal a top-four finish for a second successive season.
They may have to do the job without the help of Sadio Mane, who is currently a doubt for Sunday’s game at Anfield.
Mane is nursing an injury sustained in last week’s defeat at Stamford Bridge and has since been absent in numerous training sessions, reports the Liverpool Echo’s James Pearce.
Speaking ahead of the Brighton game, Klopp told Pearce: “We will see. It is not the same injury. It’s a fresh problem.”
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The Senegalese forward has arguably been Liverpool’s brightest player over the last three weeks, displaying remarkable energy levels to feature prominently in midweek Champions League fixtures and in domestic games.
Fatigue may well have played a factor in his latest problem, with the Reds looking slightly run-down in recent league outings undoubtedly as a consequence of intense quarter-final and semi-final ties against Manchester City and Roma, respectively.
Mane’s absence serves as an untimely blow to Liverpool’s efforts to preserve the fitness of star men ahead of the Champions League final against Real Madrid at the end of the month.
His omission from the team could also leave Klopp with a tactical void to fill in regards to a loss of the creativity Mane has demonstrated both out-wide and in deeper positions of late.
This would put the onus on the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner to take more responsibility in leading Liverpool’s transition from defence to attack.
It will also likely open the door for Danny Ings to earn another start at the weekend and another opportunity to reap the benefits of support from Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.