LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 4, 2017: Liverpool's Sadio Mane in action against Arsenal during the FA Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Sadio Mane set for surgery this week, winger’s layoff length confirmed

Sadio Mane will undergo surgery on his knee injury on Tuesday, with the Liverpool winger facing eight weeks on the sidelines.

The 25-year-old has missed the last two games after limping off midway through the Reds’ 3-1 win in the Merseyside derby at the beginning of April.

But with Jurgen Klopp moving to rule Mane out for the rest of the season, the club was merely left to make a decision on whether the former Southampton winger required surgery.

And according to the Liverpool Echo, Mane will now go under the knife on Tuesday afternoon in London.

This is believed to rule Mane out for eight weeks, which should ensure he returns to full fitness for Liverpool’s pre-season preparations this summer.

Mane will certainly be unavailable for the Reds’ post-season friendly against Sydney FC on May 24, but should be able to join Klopp’s squad at the Premier League Asia Trophy in Hong Kong in July.

While Mane’s absence is a major blow to Liverpool in their push for Champions League qualification, an eight-week layoff is far from disastrous.

That the Senegalese avoided an ACL injury is a positive, with the likes of Joe Gomez and Danny Ings both enduring long spells out with knee issues during Klopp’s reign.

STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 8, 2017: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp celebrates after the 2-1 victory over Stoke City during the FA Premier League match at the Bet365 Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Without Mane, and with Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana currently sidelined too, Klopp has opted to change his system, deploying a three-man defensive line against Stoke City on Saturday.

This has shifted the emphasis in attack, with Liverpool’s wing-backs utilised to provide the width missing with Mane out.

Klopp was unable to field any of Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino or Daniel Sturridge from the start at the Britannia Stadium, but their improving fitness makes them key options for the run-in.

The Reds have six more games to play before the end of the season, starting away to West Brom on April 16, as they look to extend their six-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.

They are still vying with Man City, Arsenal and Man United, likely for two Champions League spots, with Chelsea and Tottenham seemingly safe in the top two.

Losing Mane is a blow, but confirmation of his layoff allows Klopp to focus and prepare without his No. 19.

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