Sadio makes Reds’ fans happy again
LONDON – Such is the impact Sadio Mane has made on Liverpool that the 24-year-old is an automatic pick to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League tomorrow while experienced international team mates scrap it out to play alongside him.
With the Senegalese on the right flank, Liverpool look a potent attacking force but without him they offer a much paler threat and were uninspiring in his absence in last week’s 2-0 defeat at promoted Burnley.
That result doused the optimism flowing from their opening 4-3 win at Arsenal in which the R557-million signing from Southampton produced an early contender for goal of the season.
Juergen Klopp’s side return to north London tomorrow after the fit-again Mane inspired their 5-0 League Cup win over Burton Albion on Tuesday.
One particular moment of sorcery, when he jinked past a bewildered full back to set up Divock Origi’s opener, showed why he is inked into the team sheet.
The last Liverpool signing to make anything like that immediate impact was Luis Suarez, who hit the ground running, and scoring, in 2011.
The Uruguayan formed a deadly partnership with Daniel Sturridge, but the English striker is no longer a guaranteed starter.
Klopp must probably select one from Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Origi – all of whom scored against Burton – as Mane’s partner at White Hart Lane. “Origi and Sturridge both performed, yes ... and Roberto eh?,” Klopp said after the Burton game.
“It’s my job to find the right solutions, the job the players have to do is be in the best shape they can be.”
With Philippe Coutinho certain to return, Klopp is juggling formations as well as personnel in search of the lineup to bury Liverpool’s reputation as the league’s most inconsistent performers, brilliant one week and maddening the next. That charge could never be levelled against a Jose Mourinho side and the Portuguese takes Manchester United to Hull City with both teams having won their opening two games.
Even Hull’s most loyal supporters would not have predicted such a start, many fearing early humiliation after a turbulent summer in which their manager Steve Bruce left and Mike Phelan took over in a caretaker capacity. –