Sadio Mane’s injury, thankfully, isn’t as serious as first thought. After fears that Jurgen Klopp’s most expensive summer signing could be facing a prolonged spell on the side-lines, the manager indicated in his press conference yesterday that he could feature at the weekend, albeit an unlikely prospect.
“”It won’t take a long time,” said Klopp, in his press conference at Melwood, “but I don’t know yet whether he will be available for this weekend.”
He also offered insight into how the injury happened. “It was a challenge between 2 players in the air and Sadio fell on his shoulder. It’s not that serious.”
Reds were initially worried that it could be a dislocated shoulder, which would’ve required surgery and put Mane out of action for a month or more. Luckily for the player and the club, the damage is solely muscular and much more easily treated.
The £34 million man has impressed throughout preseason and helped put Arsenal to the sword in the first game of the season, becoming a key part of the manager’s plans.
Klopp also reassured journalists that James Milner and Daniel Sturridge are back in training, with Lucas Leiva soon to follow.
The Mirror believes Liverpool could solve their defensive woes, specifically at left back, by signing the ever-versatile Bruno Martins Indi.
Martins Indi is a mainstay of the Dutch national team has impressed since arriving at Porto two years ago.
The 24-year-old can play at both left back and centre back, making him an asset to any defence, and he would doubtless be an improvement defensively on the struggling Alberto Moreno.
The departure of Martin Škrtel and doubts surrounding Mamadou Sakho’s future at the club means Martins Indi’s versatility could prove vital to Jurgen Klopp’s side.
The left footed defender cost Porto £6.5 million when he joined in 2014.
Christian Benteke’s Anfield troubles could finally be coming to an end with the club accepting a bid from Crystal Palace, according to the BBC.
The powerful striker is travelling to London today for his medical and to finalise terms.
Liverpool rejected a bid of £23 million plus £7 million in add-ons last week, but Palace are believed to have come back with an offer including a £27 million initial fee.
Benteke will be the Eagles record signing, beating the £13 million paid for Andros Townsend earlier this summer.
Adam Lallana has impressed exponentially more on the wing since Jurgen Klopp took over at Anfield, but the man himself is relishing the opportunity to play more centrally under the German manager, the Liverpool Echo reports.
The England international put in a capable performance against Arsenal in central midfield, a deeper role than he is normally accustomed too.
Despite featuring deeper, Lallana proved he can still be an asset in attack when he latched onto Wijnaldum’s cross for the Reds’ second goal against the Gunners.
“I’ve enjoyed it,” Lallana told Liverpoolfc.com. “I feel like I’m still learning the role and I’ll probably still be learning the role throughout the season – you can always get better.
“But I’ve been watching different players that play in that position and it was great to play against Barcelona and some top teams in pre-season to get good run-outs against them.”
Lallana added: “It’s a different role but one I’ll embrace and I’ll play wherever the manager wants me to play as long as it benefits the team.”
Shifting the Englishman deeper adds to Klopp’s options in midfield as he looks to refit his central midfield with dynamic, attack-minded players.
Featured image: All rights reserved by Paul Vause
Will also writes for Football Ticket Net, his choice for Liverpool tickets.