Klopp Explains Sadio Mane’s Angry Reaction
Jurgen Klopp has insisted he is ‘completely fine’ with Sadio Mane’s angry outburst following his substitution during Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Burnley.
The Senegalese was caught on camera launching an angry tirade as he sat down on the bench after being replaced by Divock Origi in the 85th minute at Turf Moor. It appeared that Mane’s ire was aimed at teammate Mohamed Salah for taking on a shot in the box when a pass looked the better option, but Klopp was giving nothing away. Asked if he knew what had angered his No.10, the German said: “Yeah, I know! “He was upset, that was obvious. Sadio cannot hide his emotions and I like that. But all sorted.
“It was a situation in the game he wasn’t happy about. That’s completely fine. “Would he do it (react) in exactly the same manner again? Probably not. But it happens. “He didn’t say any wrong words (to anyone), it just looked a little bit different to how he looks usually.”
Klopp later hailed the timing of Mane’s eruption, joking that the upcoming international break is likely to reduce the column inches it receives.
“For me, it’s just a little story. Thank God we are away for a week so if you write something about it we won’t read it anyway.
“And in a week nobody will remember it anyway.
“It’s a cool moment for it to happen! But it’s all fine.”
LAPORTE’S INJURY WORRIES PEP
Pep Guardiola fears Aymeric Laporte faces an extended time out after suffering a knee injury in Manchester City’s 4-0 win against Brighton.
The centre-back was sent to hospital for tests after leaving the pitch on a stretcher in the first-half.
City’s medical staff are waiting for the final results, but fear the France defender has sustained serious damage.
Guardiola said: “It doesn’t look good. Tomorrow we will know.
“Now, exactly what he has I don’t know. The doctor is going to call me but I think it will be a while. Hopefully it is not as long as Leroy (Sane).”
Sane is sidelined until February at the earliest after damaging his ACL in the Community Shield.
Laporte was clearly in distress after hurting himself in a challenge with Adam Webster.
His right knee took the impact of the collision, with the 25-year-old failing to get back to his feet.
The defender had only just earned a call-up by Didier Deschamps after being overlooked by the World Cup winners despite his outstanding form for City.
Guardiola praised his call up, saying: “For me he is the best left-sided central defender in Europe.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Deschamps. Hopefully he can play good and stay there for a long time. All of us are so happy for him because he was looking for this call for a long time.”
Fernandinho replaced Laporte in defence, with John Stones still recovering from a thigh injury that will keep him out until after the international break.