Why Sadio Mané’s lack of form will be a worry for Jürgen Klopp

Despite scoring a number of important goals in the last month for Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp should be worried that Sadio Mané is still struggling to hit top gear this season.

After a position change earlier this season to accommodate the arrival of Mohamed Salah from Roma, Mané was in blistering form and used his pace and agility to cut in from the left wing to devastating effect.

In Liverpool’s Champions League qualifiers against Hoffenheim in August, the Senegal attacker was electric and was influential in helping his side book their place for the group stages.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Wednesday, August 23, 2017: Liverpool’s Sadio Mane lines-up before the UEFA Champions League Play-Off 2nd Leg match between Liverpool and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Despite a good start to the season and the fact that he has managed to contribute to 15 goals this season, it’s difficult to ignore the feeling that Mané hasn’t been at his best and there are a number of reasons why this could be.

As Klopp alluded to a little while ago, Mané’s confidence may have taken a knock after the no.19 failed to make the right decision in front of goal against Everton in the Premier League, deciding to shoot instead of squaring for a teammate.

Despite it looking as though his form was improving with stunning goals against Burnley and Manchester City and a couple ruled out against Leicester City, the former Southampton winger is still struggling to find the ruthless streak that made him so successful last season.

In his last three games against Swansea and Huddersfield in the league and West Brom in the FA Cup, Mané’s touch has been poor and he has failed to use his pace to great effect. Playing against teams who sit deep can be tough for a winger but he hasn’t really influenced the way the Reds have played recently and could do with a rest.

READ MORE: Why Liverpool’s goalkeeping situation this season has been nothing short of bizarre

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – Tuesday, January 30, 2018: Liverpool’s Sadio Mane during the FA Premier League match between Huddersfield Town FC and Liverpool FC at the John Smith’s Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

It really is a mark of the times that Mané can be so out of sorts and yet Liverpool can still be on track for a good end of the season. Because, despite the moans and groans of fans, with a Champions League quarter final on the cards and a second place finish in the league possible, there is still a lot to play for.

And Mané is crucial to the way the rest of the season pans out. Porto await Liverpool in the Champions League and Europe is now the club’s best shot at glory this season and all though very few bookies are backing the Merseysiders to go all the way, Klopp will back his side to beat any side on their day.

As we saw against Huddersfield, with a few missed opportunities, and with his recent goals against Burnley and Man City, scoring isn’t Mané’s biggest issue right now as his pace always creates space for him to shoot but rather he is struggling with the basics.

Mané has been struggling in the last few games with taking on defenders and really abusing his pace. His confidence seems so low that when he receives the ball, he has no idea what he wants to do with it and gives opposition defenders the opportunity to dispossess him with relative ease.

READ MORE: Liverpool are out of the Cup, but there’s still plenty to play for this season

SWANSEA, WALES – Monday, January 22, 2018: Liverpool’s Sadio Mane looks dejected after missing a chance during the FA Premier League match between Swansea City FC and Liverpool FC at the Liberty Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The form of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino has made it quite easy for Jurgen Klopp to forget at times how poor Mané has been but with Liverpool now entering the business end of the season, the German manager will need his best players to step up and deliver the goods to ensure a healthy end to the campaign.

Given that the Reds have exited both domestic cups already this season, many fans would happily take a semi-final spot in the Champions League and second place in the league as a successful season.

Liverpool’s next three fixtures are Tottenham at home, Southampton away and Porto away so I think it would be beneficial for Mané if he was rested against Saints and if Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was featured up front to replace him so as to ensure the Senegalese forward can come in hot and fresh against Porto for the away leg of the Reds’ Champions League quarter final.

Unlucky Sadio! pic.twitter.com/uWkPd9NRhS

— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) January 30, 2018

Mané has been in good form in Europe this season, scoring three goals and providing one assist but Klopp will be looking for more of his link up play and dribbling as more and more fans and pundits question the former RB Salzburg winger’s form.

In the best interest of Mané and Liverpool’s season, the 25-year-old should be taken out of the spotlight and can then come back into the side fresh and ready to go.

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Source: anfieldhq.com