Liverpool Handed Huge Injury Concern As Key Man Emerges As Doubt For Southampton

Liverpool have been handed a huge injury concern as Sadio Mane appears to have aggravated his hamstring injury while away with Senegal during the international break, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Mane was ruled out for up to six weeks and missed five Liverpool matches after suffering a hamstring injury during the last international break at the start of October.

The 25-year-old made a swift recovery and returned ahead of schedule to start during the Merseysiders 4-1 win over West Ham at the London Stadium earlier this month.

The attacker was allowed to link-up with the Senegal squad and started during their 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over South Africa on Friday night – which booked their place at the World Cup finals next summer.

However, it seems that game has come at a cost as the Senegalese FA have released a statement confirming that Mane aggravated his hamstring injury during the match on Friday.

After consultation between the Senegal and Liverpool medical teams, it was decided that Mane should be released from international duty to return to Merseyside and be further assessed by his club.

The statement said, as per the Liverpool Echo:

“The Senegalese Football Federation informs the national and international opinion that, following the match South Africa against Senegal on Friday, November 10, 2017, in Polokwane, the player Sadio Mane was slightly felt (sic) from his old injury.

“After consultations between the medical staff of the national team of Senegal and Liverpool, it was decided by mutual agreement to make it available to his club to continue treatment until full recovery.”

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will now be sweating over Mane’s fitness as it would be a huge blow if the attacker was to be ruled out for any significant period of time again.

Mane is expected to return to Melwood to be further assessed by the Liverpool medical team but it remains to be seen whether he’ll be available for the visit of former club Southampton to Anfield on Saturday.

Klopp will be praying for positive news as Mane has been a key player for the German coach since joining the club last summer and he has three goals and two assists in his six Premier League appearances so far this season.