Premier League giants Liverpool have announced Sadio Mane is suffering from a hamstring injury which could keep him out of action for up to six weeks.
This comes as huge blow to Liverpool and boss Jurgen Klopp as Mane plays a pivotal role in the Red squad and has been in sublime form – with three goals already to his name in five Premier League appearances this season.
And now the Senegal winger is set to miss six weeks of action – starting with the high-octane Premier League clash with Manchester United on Saturday.
Liverpool announced that scans have confirmed the injury, which Mane picked up while on international duty for Senegal.
Liverpool announced in a statement on their official website: “The winger was substituted 89 minutes into Senegal’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over the Cape Verde Islands on Saturday.”
“And it has now been confirmed that he picked up an injury during that fixture that could keep him out of action for up to six weeks.”
“Mane, whose lay-off will commence when Manchester United visit Anfield on Saturday, has scored three goals in four Premier League appearances this term.”
In-form Mane will be out of action during games against Man Utd, Maribor, Spurs, Huddersfield, Maribor, West Ham, Southampton, Sevilla and Chelsea.
The Reds average 2.2 goals per game with Mane and this drops to 1.6 when they play without the Senegal attacker.
He will now join Adam Lallana on the sidelines, with the Three Lions midfielder nursing a thigh injury that he sustained in pre-season.
Mane’s injury could come as a blessing for summer recruit Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is keen to prove his mettle after joining the Reds from Arsenal on deadline day.