Sadio Mane Could Miss The Rest Of The Season For Liverpool

Liverpool are concerned that Sadio Mane will play no further part in this Premier League season because of a knee ligament injury.

Mane had opened the scoring for the Reds in their 3-1 win over their city rivals. In a Merseyside Derby full of rash tackles, the Senegalese collided with Toffees’ defender Leighton Baines, and was taken off immediately. Mane insisted after the game that he was okay, showing a thumbs up to reporters.

The 24-year old had a scan on Sunday on his knee. The swelling around his knee had not gone down enough by Monday to determine the extent of damage, the Daily Mail reported.

Even though he is not on crutches, or wearing a brace and no suggestions that he has damaged his anterior cruciate ligament, Liverpool will be worried. The winger is the club’s top scorer in the Premier League with 13 goals.

He has had the most impact on Liverpool’s season, with his blistering pace and work rate. When Mane left for the Africa Cup of Nations in January, Liverpool endured a woeful run of form. They were knocked out of two cup competitions, and fell out of the title reckoning. His return has seemingly revived them, putting them back in Champions League places.

Mane definitely misses Wednesday’s game against Bournemouth and Saturday’s trip to Stoke. If his absence is indeed long-term, it will be a huge blow to manager Jurgen Klopp.

The German is already missing captain Jordan Henderson, and Adam Lallana has been ruled out for a month. His options in the front-line are very thin now. Danny Ings was ruled out of the season pretty early, and Daniel Sturridge is only inching his way back to fitness.

Divock Origi, though, seems to be on the path to finding his form. The Belgian scored in the win against Everton, after replacing Mane. He was on an exceptional run of form at a similar time last season, but has only started seven league games this term.

Origi did comment that he was ready to be an important player, by stating: “I always said that I’m ready to be an important player for the team.I really believe it. I’m not just an option for the future, I’m an option for now. I want to do everything to get in the team.

“The coach has several choices and that is only good for the team. Like I said, the team is most important and we have to finish strong. I hope I can play a big part in the end of the season.

“I’m very ambitious and I believe in my qualities. Like I say, I’m ready and ready now to do whatever. But you have to put everything in and show it on the pitch. I always respect the decision of the coach.”