Sheffield United will probably be facing Sadio Mane when Liverpool visit Bramall Lane in the Premier League.
The Blades host the European champions in the lunchtime kickoff on Saturday in front of the BT Sport cameras.
Mane suffered a dead leg during last weekend’s 2-1 victory at Chelsea and missed the midweek Carabao Cup trip to MK Dons as a result.
Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri were also absent from the 2-0 win at Stadium MK with injuries.
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has provided an update on the trio, as well as goalkeeper Alisson. The Brazilian has not played since the opening day of the season, but is now back in training.
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“Both trained yesterday – Sadio and Divock. Pretty normal, no issues,” Klopp said in his pre-match press conference.
“And Ali is in a good way and yesterday did a full session with the goalie coaches. So getting closer and closer.
“The final word will be from the medical department. Ali is not in contention for tomorrow.
“Shaq is not ready yet, he is doing rehab. Milly (James Milner) got a knock in his back against MK Dons early in the game but should be good.”
The threat of Sadio Mane
(Photo by Visionhaus)
The standout news line from Klopp is that Mane is fit to play in South Yorkshire. The Blades now know that they could be up against arguably the best attacking trio in world football.
Mane and Mohamed Salah have already scored four league goals in six games in 2019/20. Roberto Firmino has added a further three.
Meanwhile, Salah and Firmino have three assists apiece and Mane another one. They truly are a frightening prospect in the final third and one that will test one of the division’s best defences this term
The Blades have conceded six goals so far this campaign – a record only bettered by Leicester City and Liverpool themselves, who have let in five each.
