Sadio Mane is finally in line to return from his long injury layoff as Liverpool travel to London to face a West Ham United side desperate for points.
Liverpool have managed to pull themselves back after a string of disappointing results, with a few clean sheets to their name as well. In West Ham though, they face a side that has been a bogey team for the Reds. But, Jurgen Klopp may have an ace up his sleeves, with Sadio Mane all set to return to the fold from his long injury layoff.
Much of Liverpool’s troubles have been caused in the absence of the Senegalese and it would be a huge boost if the Reds were to have their main man back in action. The forward trained with the team in the lead-up to the match and the prospect of him featuring on Saturday was also touched upon by Klopp in the pre-match conference.
“We will see what we do with that. Yesterday it looked like he is ready for at least 20/25 minutes. But we have to wait to see how his body reacts to the session because for him it was pretty intense; not because it was intense but because it was his first football session for a long time.”
? PHOTO | Sadio Mané officially back on training today for Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/5oJsfbxN9f
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) November 2, 2017
Dejan Lovren and Georginio Wijnaldum are doubtful for the clash with a thigh and an ankle issue respectively. The duo will be assessed before the match and a decision on their involvement is likely to be taken according to the assessment. Philippe Coutinho though, is a sure absentee for the match due to an adductor issue.
The point of contention would be James Milner’s place in the eleven. The English veteran’s inspired performances in the midfield could see him being deployed in the midfield three, while either a rejuvenated Alberto Moreno or summer signing Andrew Robertson will be deployed on the left side of defence.
Simon Mignolet is set to return to guard Liverpool’s goal after he saw his adversary Loris Karius command the place against Maribor in the midweek. Klopp could also field the pairing of Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip, irrespective of Lovren’s availability.
