Jurgen Klopp hasn’t ruled Sadio Mane out of the start of Liverpool’s season, despite our Senegalese superstar still competing in the AFCON, having helped his team reach Friday’s Final with Algeria.
Liverpool’s no.10 will hope to return to Melwood with another medal, having won the Champions League with us around seven weeks ago.
But there’s still doubt about whether he’ll be ready for Norwich on August 9, the first day of the Premier League season.
Klopp likes to give players three weeks holiday before they come back and start training, but according to the manager’s latest comments, this might not be the case with the 27-year-old.
“With Sadio, we have to see about him after the final – how he is feeling and stuff like that,” Klopp told the official website.
“It will be really difficult. 16 days before we play City, his season is finished. We will have to make a decision, but we haven’t made it yet.”
Despite Klopp’s comments, we think it practically impossible Mane will play the Community Shield on August 4, and very unlikely he’ll be in the team for the Canaries clash.
In his place, Rhian Brewster and Divock Origi are fighting it out during pre-season for an opportunity alongside Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino.
Our starting front-three will be our starting front-three, but we reckon there may be some rotation in the early weeks – especially considering we’re playing a Super Cup match with Chelsea – as well.