Liverpool suffer Sadio Mane blow ahead of Chelsea clash

Liverpool are in desperation mode and are eagerly awaiting the return of Sadio Mane. Will the speedster be available for the clash with Chelsea?

Liverpool‘s season is in freefall right now. The return of Sadio Mane from the Africa Cup of Nations can’t come quickly enough. Jurgen Klopp is coming under increasing pressure with the Red’s having lost their last three games in all competitions.

Mane has been a key loss this month, with the forward away playing for Senegal. However, Senegal were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday. Mane was finally about to return to his ailing teammates.

But when will Mane be ready to play? The club reportedly sent a private jet to fly Mane back to England urgently. You want to know how nervous and worried the club are right now? That explains it.

The team were set to play three days later, yet they basically expect Mane to fly back, land, put his boots on, and run out at Anfield. And yet that might still not be the case. According to Klopp himself, Mane might not be available for the Chelsea game after all.

”Touch and go” is how the German described Mane’s chances of playing. Mane is back in England, but arrived later than expected with the player being held up whilst a private jet awaited him. When he does return to the team, Mane could be forgiven for thinking he had jumped on the wrong plane.

More from The Top Flight

No longer Premier League title challengers, Liverpool are barely in the top four at this point. Manchester City and Manchester United are both breathing down the neck of the Merseysiders. Defeat against Chelsea will only increase the pressure all-round.

Liverpool have lost their last three in all competitions. But they’ve also not won for three games in the Premier League. Two draws and a defeat putting a bump in the Red’s title road. The Liverpool defense has let in six goals during those three games.

Mane, whenever he returns, is not going to be able to help that. But hopefully he can put some life and energy back into the team’s offensive pressing game. Liverpool were a nightmare to play against earlier in the season with their all-action style.

Opposition teams were walking into a blizzard they were unable to deal with. Now, it’s more like a swift breeze. Annoying, but you get used to it. The worst opponents for Liverpool right now, too, is Chelsea.

Next: 5 Reasons why Liverpool are struggling in 2017

The league leaders have lost just one Premier League game in their last 16 outings. To relieve some of the building pressure, Liverpool need to make it two in 17. But will Sadio Mane be available? And what condition will he be in?

Home/Liverpool FC