Jurgen Klopp has played down injury fears over Sadio Mane after Liverpool opened their Champions League campaign with an impressive victory.
An own goal from Nicolas Tagliafico on 35 minutes earned the Reds a 1-0 win at Ajax in their Group D opener on Wednesday.
Mane was caught on camera sat in the dugout with ice strapped around his right leg after being replaced shortly before the hour by Diogo Jota.
But Klopp has allayed concerns the Senegalese could be missing from Saturday’s Premier League visit of Sheffield United.
“Sadio has still for a few days had a dead leg,” said the Reds boss. “He deals with it in that area, that’s the only thing.
“It is still painful but it’s not a problem. When he doesn’t play, he puts ice on it. That’s it.”
Liverpool had to contend with a host of injury problems, with Naby Keita not involved as a precaution and Curtis Jones handed a surprise full Champions League debut in midfield with Jordan Henderson on the bench.
And Klopp explained why the skipper – who replaced Jones at half-time – didn’t start at the Johan Cruyff ArenA.
“The substitution of Curtis was tactical,” said the Liverpool manager. “The medical department pretty much told us Hendo couldn’t start but it was pretty clear 45 minutes should be possible, and that’s why Hendo came on.
“We wanted experience in midfield, and one that had played together a bit would help.”
