Who will fill in for Sadio Mane?
When Sadio Mane joined Liverpool for big money, most fans and Klopp alike knew he will be off to the AFCON in January and miss some important games notably against Manchester United and the EFL Semi Finals depending on how his country performs. The Senegal international has been a standout player for the Reds this year and has played a major role in Liverpool’s current league position. Mane’s absence will hit the team hard as they will be playing in three competitions.
Possible players to play in Mane’s position
Georginio Wijnaldum, Roberto Firmino or Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho
Originally a central Attacking Midfielder Wijnaldum operated in a deeper role at Newcastle last season and this season under Klopp at Liverpool. He has only scored once against Hull since his arrival, a stat which he should look to improve upon if he has to stake a claim to be a first team favourite under Klopp wherein not only would he score goals but also offer legs in midfield whenever needed.
Wijnaldum offers the team enough quality going forward with work rate and energy. With the likelihood that Emre Can and Captain Jordan Henderson as guaranteed starters in the heart of the Liverpool midfield, Wijnaldum could be offered the role in Mane’s absence.
Roberto Firmino has had an outstanding season so far, scoring goals, creating spaces and important openings for others to score and even contributing to the team putting in a defensive shift, something that Klopp expects his players to do. The Brazilian could easily fit into Mane’s position given that he played a similar role at Hoffenheim and to an extent under Klopp last year at Liverpool too.
With the return of Adam Lallana and a possible return of Phillipe Coutinho, we see the changes being made by Klopp.
Adam Lallana has found a new lease of life under Jürgen Klopp. His relentless running and pressing the opposition has yielded Klopp great rewards going forward and in defence as well.
The former Southampton player has added goals to his game unlike when played under Rodgers. Although Lallana has started most games under Klopp on the right side of midfield and at times operating as a false number 9, he could flourish playing in a more central role, an area where he has scored a lot of his goals from this season. Lallana being two footed also given Klopp a tactical angle to play him as a busy CAM than an out and out number 10 or a false number nine.
Opinion – Roberto Firmino is an obvious favourite for the position but Wijnaldum should be given a chance to impress as well, he has played there for the Dutch National team and for his previous clubs.
