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