Liverpool star Sadio Mane is set to miss the Reds’ first game of the Premier League season as Senegal progress to the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations.
The Lions beat Benin on Wednesday to seal their place in the next stage of the international competition as Mane closes in on another piece of silverware.
It’d be an incredible end to the season for Senegal’s talisman, as it was for Brazilian duo Alisson Becker and Bobby Firmino, but it does mean he’ll miss Liverpool’s pre-season fixtures and the first game of the season against Norwich City.
The Reds are set to host the newly-promoted Canaries on the curtain-opener of the new domestic campaign as Jurgen Klopp sets his eyes on the Premier League trophy.
Liverpool should have enough in the tank with the likes of Mo Salah, Bobby Firmino and Gini Wijnaldum presumably available for choice in our first fixture at Anfield in 2019/20.
Mane had an incredible season last year – he shared the Premier League Golden Boot award with Mo Salah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and won the Champions League title with Liverpool. He’ll be an incredible loss for our first game.