KEY POINTS

  • Liverpool striker Sadio Mane suffered muscle tweak Thursday
  • There is still no information whether he'll play the next game
  • Liverpool are nearing to their first Premier League trophy in 30 years

Liverpool FC boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted being under pressure after the Premier League leaders’ striker Sadio Mane limped off the pitch Thursday evening.

In the first half against Wolves, Mane dropped to the ground and appeared to be holding his hamstring. The Senegal international then received medical treatment on the pitch and was told that he would be coming off as a precaution. Mane suddenly jumped to his feet before he limped off and was replaced by Liverpool’s latest signing, Takumi Minamino.

After the hard-fought match that ended in Liverpool’s favor 2-1, Klopp confirmed that Mane had suffered a muscle tweak while he added that they would receive a full report regarding the injury by Friday.

“Sadio is a real shame he had to go off. Hopefully, it's not too bad - just a muscle tweak, but we will see tomorrow,” Klopp said in a post-match interview.

The win against Wolves boosted Liverpool ahead in their quest of winning their first Premier League in 30 years. The Reds currently are 16 points clear on the top. If Liverpool go on to win their next nine fixtures, then irrespective of the other clubs’ results, Klopp’s team will be crowned champions for the 2019-20 season.

After a gruelling December with nine games across four competitions, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made nine changes as the youthful Reds still beat Everton 1-0
After a gruelling December with nine games across four competitions, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made nine changes as the youthful Reds still beat Everton 1-0 AFP / Paul ELLIS

When Klopp was asked about Liverpool players’ current mindset since they are so near to finally winning the coveted trophy, the German manager made it clear that their focus right now is not their position on the Premier League table.

“I don’t think about it, I had to ask about exactly the amount of points, that’s the truth, I really forgot in the week. I didn’t think about it, I know we play Sunday at Shrewsbury [in the FA Cup], I know we play Wednesday at West Ham and I know we play Saturday. That’s three games in seven days which is a lot. We lost Sadio Mane and that’s the pressure I think about. All the rest is no pressure,” said Klopp hinting at Mane’s poor injury timing.

Liverpool’s next fixture is the FA Cup match against Shrewsbury on Sunday and three days later, they will face West Ham in the Premier League.

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