The Reds host the Potters at Anfield for the first Premier League clash of Matchday 36 on Saturday evening.
Liverpool midfielder Jurgen Klopp (Photo: AFP)
Liverpool have been handed a fresh injury bombshell as Jurgen Klopp admitted winger Sadio Mane had picked up an issue and would be racing against time to get fit for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Stoke City.
“It is not that serious; there is a chance for tomorrow. If we use that chance or not… it is quite early in the day,” the manager stated on the topic of Mane’s injury on the eve of the Reds’ clash with the Potters.
Speculation was rife that the Senegalese had gotten injured in traing after a series of tweets claiming he had suffered a setback , now deleted, went viral on Friday.
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And the fact that Mane was conspicuous by his absence from Friday’s training pictures only added fuel to the fire.
“In these times, you always have to use each second and minute, speak to the player, speak to the Doc, speak to the physiotherapists and all that stuff. At the end, you have to make a decision and I will make a decision,” the German tactician added.
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It’s not been a good week for the Reds as despite thrashing Roma 5-2 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final, they have been struggling with a raft of injuries.
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In-form midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered a serious knee injury during the win over the Italian outfit and with Emre Can (back) and Adam Lallana (hamstring) already on the sidelines.
Centre-back Joel Matip is another player who is expected to return next season.
Liverpool, third in the table, are under pressure from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in the race to finish in the top-four and hence, their clash with the relegation-threatened Stoke City is a must-win.
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Match kicks off at 12.30 GMT/1700 IST.
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