Sadio Mane could yet feature for the Reds at Huddersfield this weekend, a welcome boost for Jurgen Klopp after injury woes across the international break.
Liverpool’s players have, as usual, been off around the world for international fixtures, for both friendlies and competitive matches.
The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita all missed games or were taken off injured, leaving boss Klopp with potential selection headaches.
With a return to Premier League action seeing the Reds head to Huddersfield at the weekend, getting straight back up to speed with three points is imperative.
And with Salah a fitness concern, the last thing Klopp wanted is another attacker going down injured—but a suspected broken thumb means the Senegal international needed surgery.
Liverpool have confirmed that the No. 10 underwent a successful procedure once back on Merseyside today, saying Mane “will be monitored over the next couple of days” before any decision is taken over his weekend involvement.
While any surgery is of course not to be taken lightly, it can be hoped that since the operation was a success, Mane will indeed be involved over the weekend.
A hand issue is not immediately likely to prevent participation, and protective casts can further enhance the probability that he can get through the 90 minutes unscathed.
With Salah potentially missing, Klopp would rather not be without two of his usual starters—even if Mane has shown signs of needing a break soon.
It could mean an opportunity for Xherdan Shaqiri to be involved, while Daniel Sturridge is another potential alternative.
Meanwhile, the Reds are still awaiting news of Naby Keita‘s hamstring injury, which Neil Jones of Goal.com suggests is likely to make the midfielder “at the very least, a huge doubt for [the] Huddersfield and Red Star games.”
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