November 12, (THEWILL) – Sadio Mane of Liverpool had to be replaced less than half an hour into Senegal’s World Cup qualifier against Togo on Thursday.
After sitting down on the pitch to signify that he could not continue, the 29-year-old was replaced by Boulaye Dia after only 28 minutes into the fixture.
In recent weeks, Mane has returned to his electrifying best for Liverpool, displaying the kind of form that has earned him a reputation as one of the best left attackers in the world.
He has six Premier League goals and eight in all competitions, which is half of what he scored in the entire 2020/21 season, when he was less effective.
Furthermore, his overall performance levels have dramatically improved, with Liverpool returning to their formidable best at home and in Europe. Mane has also been a bright spot in Senegal’s World Cup qualifying campaign, scoring three goals in five games.
Liverpool will now be waiting for word on Mane’s condition, hoping that his decision to leave the game was merely precautionary rather than indicative of a severe problem.
After the international break, Liverpool’s fixtures will come thick and fast, with a tough December schedule that will see Jurgen Klopp’s side play nine games in 27 days.
Liverpool will also play three times before the end of November, with Arsenal, who are currently in form, the next visitors to Anfield.
On Saturday, November 20th, the heavyweight duo will face battle in an evening kick-off before the Reds return to Champions League play four days later against Porto. The month will come to a close with a third consecutive home match, this time against Mane’s previous side Southampton.
If Mane is unable to play in those games, it will add to his already scheduled absence in January.
He will be away for the majority of the month as Senegal compete in the Africa Cup of Nations, a competition in which Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, who was awarded PFA Premier League Fans’ Player of the Month on Thursday, as THEWILL reported, will also compete.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
