Which players are struggling to be fit for Liverpool vs. AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday?…
As expected, Liverpool’s current top scorer Sadio Mané has been ruled out of the midweek Premier League fixture with AFC Bournemouth at Anfield.
The club now face an anxious wait to find out the true extent of the knee injury he sustained against Everton on Saturday, with fears rising that the pacy attacker’s season may be over.
“It’s not 100% clear,” commented manger Jürgen Klopp at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday. “He had of course an assessment and we have to wait until the knee is not swollen any more.
“What I can say for sure is he will not be available for tomorrow – all the rest we have to see…
“Not very positive, let me say it like this. But we cannot see what it is exactly, so we have to wait.”
Mané joins fellow first team regulars Adam Lallana (thigh) and Jordan Henderson (foot) on the sidelines but there is better news of Daniel Sturridge, who has missed the past two months with a hip problem.
The striker is back in full training and could make an instant return to the matchday squad against the Cherries.
Definitely absent however are Ovie Ejaria (ruptured syndesmosis), Danny Ings and back-up goalkeeper Adam Bogdan (both knee).
Bournemouth arrive on Merseyside minus midfielder Andrew Surman, who like Mané suffered a knee injury at the weekend and could have played his last football of the season.
Already on the long-term casualties list with knee issues are Callum Wilson and Adam Federici, while youngster Lys Mousset is struggling with a hamstring strain.
Defender Tyrone Mings serves the fourth match of a five-match violent conduct suspension.
Will the absentees have any impact on the outcome? Let us know your thoughts on the game below or vote in our poll…
Click here to see a stats and facts preview
Click here to find out who will be officiating
Follow me on Twitter @superbag
| At Vital Liverpool we’re always looking for contributors so if you’re an LFC fan who wants to share his or her opinion with the masses, simply email articles/blogs to liverpool@vitalfootball.co.uk | ||