Liverpool boss Klopp worried about Mane burnout ahead of new season

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is concerned about winger Sadio Mane ahead of the new season.

The star’s 2018/19 campaign still hasn’t finished, with his country Senegal reaching the AFCON final against Algeria.

The game will be contested on Friday which will then see Mane’s gruelling year finally come to an end.

Awkwardly though, 2019/20 is only a matter of weeks away, and Klopp has hinted the Reds no. 10 could miss the start.

He told Liverpool’s official website: “With Sadio, we have to see about him after the final – how he is feeling and stuff like that.

“It will be really difficult. Sixteen days before we play City, his season is finished. We will have to make a decision, but we haven’t made it yet.”

£100,000-a-week star Mane (Spotrac) was crucial for Liverpool last term, featuring in 50 games for the club across all competitions. He scored 26 goals and jointly scooped the Premier League Golden Boot award.

TBR’s view

Mane has been playing football non-stop for the last 12 months, so there is a high chance he will be missing at the start of Liverpool’s 2019/20 campaign.

As a forward, Mane’s exertions have been sky high and fatigue will be much higher than most of the rest of the squad.

One would imagine Klopp won’t rush him back for the Community Shield against Manchester City.

The Reds face Premier League new boys Norwich City at Anfield on the opening day, which in theory would be a ‘nice’ game for Mane to miss, although Klopp will hope to field him.