OPINION
Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane has told Jurgen Klopp that he is fit and ready to face Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The Senegalese star missed the team’s 1-0 victory over Huddersfield Town on Saturday after suffering a broken thumb on international duty, but is said to be available to face the Serbian giants in the Champions League.
However, the strength in depth that Liverpool possess means that the former Southampton man shouldn’t be rushed back into action.
Particularly considering the emergence of summer signing Xherdan Shaqiri in recent weeks, who was extremely impressive against the Terriers at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Red Star, with respect, are no Paris Saint-Germain, so Mane doesn’t necessarily need to be thrust back into a starting role right away.
Shaqiri, on a reported £90,000-per-week at the club [Source: Spotrac], showed what he could against David Wagner’s side with an electric display. On a day when few players in a red shirt impressed, the Swiss international staked his claim for further first team involvement with a performance dripping with creativity.
The former Stoke City man has the pace and trickery to befuddle the Red Star backline. He is playing well at the moment so there’s no need for him to be yanked from the line up.
Indeed, Mane wasn’t in particularly good form prior to his injury. Klopp should ride the hot hand and show Shaqiri that he has faith in him by selecting him against the Serbian giants.
The 27-year-old’s set piece delivery could also prove valuable against a team that will be prepared to sit back and take their chances against the Reds.
It would be an unnecessary risk for Klopp to throw Mane straight back into the fire, especially when Shaqiri is in such scorching form at the moment.
