LFC Daytrippers contributor Grizz Khan has been discussing Sadio Mane’s performance versus Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were beaten by their Italian visitors at Anfield on Wednesday evening and failed to register a single shot on target (as per BBC Sport). The Liverpool boss made a number of changes to his side having recently shared his concerns regarding the hectic schedule his side are having to cope with at present.
Despite the changes, Mane was selected from the start and according to WhoScored, his performance rating on the night was a disappointing 5.97/10 and the podcaster described his showing as a “stinker”, here is what he had to say in full:
“Mane had a stinker, there is no getting away from it. I know he gives the impression he is superhuman sometimes, the way he just plays every single game and the way he just lifts us out of any adversity or any trouble we ever seem to be in, this super Mane comes to the rescue.
“The guy has run himself into the ground for us.”
Do you think Mane's poor performance was due to fatigue?
No
Yes
In addition to what Khan had to say on the matter, Chris Brack added: “You could take your frustrations out on the manager because Mane looked tired in the Leicester game, he looked tired [against Atalanta], there is an argument to say, ‘did you rest the wrong player?'”
TIF Thoughts on the comments regarding Sadio Mane’s performance versus Atalanta…
Given that Mane has featured in eight of Liverpool’s nine Premier League games so far and every one of their UEFA Champions League group stage fixtures (as per Transfermarkt), it could be argued that, as Khan says, the player has “run himself into the ground” and is in need of a rest.
Domestically, the £108m-rated attacker’s average performance rating stands at an impressive 7.72/10 (via WhoScored) which suggests that his poor display may well have been down to fatigue and may not be anything to worry about.