OPINION
Liverpool are in the midst of a small injury crisis at the moment, and matters just got worse for the Reds ahead of their final-day Premier League clash v Brighton on Sunday.
As reported by the Liverpool Echo, star attacker Sadio Mane has suffered a fresh injury blow and is a doubt for the crucial match at Anfield on Sunday.
The Senegal international is said to have suffered the problem during their 1-0 loss to Chelsea last weekend, and has missed multiple training sessions during the week.
Speaking about the problem, Jurgen Klopp said: “We will see. It is not the same injury. It’s a fresh problem.”
The 26-year-old reportedly took part in the warm-up on Friday, but still remains doubtful for the visit of the Seagulls, and Liverpool’s injury crisis is now deeper than before.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Emre Can are all definitely out, and with Mane added into the mix things are looking worrying for Klopp right now.
It is Mane’s absence that may pose the biggest problem, with Klopp having a big decision to make in terms of the make up of his team.
The most obvious move for him to make would be to bring in Adam Lallana for Mane, but the England international has only just returned from injury himself, and that would represent too much of a risk.
His next option is to replace Mane with Danny Ings or Dominic Solanke, with those two being the reserve forwards who have seen most action this season.
That would however lead to a change in shape and style in attack, with both those players being natural strikers who would want to play centrally alongside Roberto Firmino.
That could lead to confusion and a lack of fluidity going forward, with the Reds being so dangerous this year thanks to their dynamic, goalscoring wide men.
One option that Klopp may also be considering is handing a change to rarely-seen winger Ben Woodburn, and that is the option he must take on Sunday.
The Wales international is a natural left-winger and would slot into the club’s preferred system seamlessly, allowing them to find that fluidity and penetration up front.
Woodburn has been raring to go all season for the Reds after failing to agree a loan exit, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to impress and help Liverpool to a Champions League spot for next season.
The 18-year-old has been on the bench for the Reds in three out of the last four matches, and now is the time for him to step up and be handed his first appearance since September in an EFL Cup defeat to Leicester.
