Nightmare scenario for Liverpool.
Sadio Mane has been ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring injury, Liverpool have confirmed.
The winger suffered the injury on international duty last Saturday, when he was substituted after 89 minutes of Senegal’s 2-0 win over Cape Verde. The news is a massive blow to Liverpool, as Mane will miss several key games for the club over the next six weeks, starting with the visit of Manchester United on Saturday.
The 25-year-old will also be unavailable for Champions League games against Maribor and Sevilla, the trip to London to play Tottenham Hotspur and could miss the game against Chelsea on November 25.
Mané expected to miss..
United (H)
Maribor (A)
Spurs (A)
Huddersfield (H)
Maribor (H)
West Ham (A)
Southampton (H)
Sevilla (A)
Chelsea (H) pic.twitter.com/FLyxecreuW— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) October 10, 2017
Mane started the season in brilliant form, scoring three goals in four games and was named Premier League player of the month for August. The former Southampton winger was then sent off against Manchester City at the start of September for a challenge on goalkeeper Ederson, and was suspended for three league games.
His most recent appearance for Liverpool was in the 1-1 draw against Newcastle before the international break.
Liverpool fans were understandably very disappointed upon hearing about Mane’s injury. The winger has been brilliant for Jurgen Klopp’s team since signing from Southampton last summer, and Liverpool’s form dipped when he left for the African Nations Cup last January.
When news of his injury broke on Tuesday, thoughts turned to who could potentially replace Mane in the starting XI, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s name was mentioned by several people on social media.
The former Arsenal winger joined Liverpool for £40m towards the end of the transfer window, more than what the club paid for Mo Salah and Mane, but he hasn’t had a great start to life at Anfield.
The transfer never made sense, writes @RobRedmond10 https://t.co/vRjPvzJZzO
— JOE.co.uk (@JOE_co_uk) September 21, 2017
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s playing-time has been limited, and he has failed to impress when he has featured. The 24-year-old joined the club because he wants to play in central midfield, but some Liverpool fans reckon he could now get a chance to play as a wide-forward, in Mane’s position.
None seem fully convinced that Oxlade-Chamberlain can adequately replace Mane, but they reckon he’ll never have a better opportunity to prove his worth.
Mane huge blow for #LFC obviously but this is why you spend £35m on Oxlade-Chamberlain, surely? If he can't get a run now, when does he?
— Kristian Walsh (@Kristian_Walsh) October 10, 2017
Time for Chamberlain to get his chance with Mané out for a while. Just don’t want to see Firmino wasted out wide.
— – (@_craiglfc) October 10, 2017
Mane out for six weeks? No bother lads we've got Oxlade-Chamberlain genuine world class talent
— Miles Teller (@alexhill40) October 10, 2017
Chamberlain's reaction to the Mane injury news.
His time to shine ? #LFC pic.twitter.com/Gap02KzN1J
— Jonathan Higgins (@Jhiggins3) October 10, 2017
Mane out of six weeks rip. Step up Oxlade Chamberlain
— Cam?⚽? (@CamLehial) October 10, 2017
I wish we would wake up on Saturday morning to see Mane fit & in the squad, well now let's see what Chamberlain has to offer time to step up
— Mr Daniels LFC (@Engrtupaye5) October 10, 2017
If chamberlain doesn't replace Mane I don't see the reasoning why we signed him
— Adam Darnell (@adz92darnell) October 10, 2017
Mane out means Chamberlain will get his chance. Prepare for the worst everyone
— Leonard Archer (@fishpainting) October 10, 2017
Must be proper depressing being a Liverpool fan looking at the players who could replace Mane. Oxlade Chamberlain, Solanke, Sturridge….
— Sibs (@SibsMUFC) October 10, 2017
I'd love a Chamberlain winner against the mancs, gotta prove himself now we looked absolute shite without mane at city #LFC
— Aqeel ????? (@akadibhai9) October 10, 2017
Mane out. Guess this is why we signed Oxlade-Chamberlain then. Start him vs United.
— Dom (@Frankly2Shankly) October 10, 2017
Mane's injury is an opportunity for Oxlade-Chamberlain. The fella cost c£40m. Presumably he has the ability?
— AJS (@adsalk) October 10, 2017