Mane will be absent from the side for a couple of Liverpool’s big games, but feels the side has enough quality.
Liverpool winger Sadio Mane feels the Reds will be just fine in his absence when he heads to the African Cup of Nations next month, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Mane could miss a pivotal point in Liverpool’s season if he is part of a Senegal side that could reach the latter stages of the competition in Gabon – meaning he could be absent from Premier League clashes against Manchester United and Chelsea – as well as both legs as of their EFL Cup semi-final against Southampton.
The 24-year-old is the Reds’ top scorer with eight goals this season – the latest of which was his stoppage time winner against Everton in the Merseyside derby on Monday. But Mane feels the side will have enough to cope without him, and pointed to players returning from injury may give the Reds a boost.
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane scores their first goal
Philippe Coutinho is closing in on his return from an ankle injury, while Daniel Sturridge made his return to action on Monday night by contributing to Mane’s winner. At the back, Joel Matip could return soon and faces competition after Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan impressed in recent matches.
He is quoted in the Liverpool Echo, saying: “I will be wishing them good luck, but without me the team will be the same. Even better I think. They will cope.
“Coutinho will come back. (Joel) Matip will come back and Sturridge is back now. I am very happy for him.
“It has not been easy for him being out, he has had a lot of injuries. But you know he can deliver important performances for the team. That is why the team will be strong (while I am away).”
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates
Liverpool will be hoping to have a relatively injury free Christmas prior to Mane’s departure for Gabon, as they will want as many options at their disposal as possible in their absence.
The goal for the side while he is gone is to ensure they are in the final of the EFL Cup and closer to the top of the Premier League. They currently trail Chelsea by six points and there are three Premier League games for the side to play before Mane heads to the tournament – meaning there could be one or two opportunities to close the gap on Antonio Conte’s side.
Games against Stoke City, Manchester City and Sunderland all provide different challenges, but Mane will hope to leave the Reds well positioned in the title race.
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