Liverpool Boss Confirms Triple Fitness Blow + Offers Major Mane Update

Liverpool will look to bounce back from their disappointing draw with Bournemouth when they take on Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Ahead of the game, Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s given reporters a team news and injury update.

The Reds boss confirmed that Philippe Coutinho remains a major doubt to face Stoke after being withdrawn during the second half in midweek due to illness.

The Brazilian international hasn’t been at training yesterday or today but has told the clubs doctor that he’s feeling much better so he still has a slight chance of being passed fit for the trip to the Britannia tomorrow.

Klopp also confirmed that Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana are still not back in full training as the midfielders continue to recover from their respective injuries.

Henderson hasn’t featured since suffering a foot injury towards the end of February while Lallana picked up a thigh problem while away with the England squad last month and neither player will be available against Stoke.

The Liverpool supremo also provided a major update on Sadio Mane after revealing that the attacker is set to undergo surgery which will end his season prematurely.

Mane suffered knee injury during the 3-1 win over Everton last weekend following a tussle with Leighton Baines and Klopp had initially hoped that the injury wasn’t going to be too serious.

However, it soon became clear that the Senegal star had damaged ligaments and the decision has now been taken for him to have surgery which will rule him out for the rest of the campaign.

Klopp told reporters:

Klopp: "Sadio Mane needs surgery. We're not 100% sure when it will happen. It's clear – season over."#LFC

— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) April 7, 2017

JK "Lallana better but not in training. Hendo is also in good way but don't know when he can be part of training

— Carl Markham (@carlmarkham) April 7, 2017

JK: Daniel Sturridge is back in training and we will see. Phil wasn't at Melwood yesterday but in conv with doc feels much better.

— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) April 7, 2017

JK "@Phil_Coutinho still in and was not at Melwood yesterday or today. He will be really close

— Carl Markham (@carlmarkham) April 7, 2017

The news on Mane will come as a major blow to Liverpool as he’s been one of their best players this season having scored 13 goals as well as providing a further 8 assists so they are going to miss him during the final stages of the season.

Klopp will also be praying Coutinho is able to take part in tomorrow’s game as his absence along with Mane would leave the Reds boss without two of his most influential attackers for a tricky away game.