As Liverpool headed back out onto their Anfield pitch to resume the play against Chelsea at halftime, Jurgen Klopp hugged Sadio Mane in an attempt to comfort the star after a difficult first half.
The Reds were lacklustre in the opening 45 minutes and went into the interval 1-0 down owing to a brilliant goal from Mason Mount for the Blues.
Mane squandered an amazing chance in the 27th minute of the tie, minutes after Timo Werner had a goal disallowed in a moment that could’ve swung the momentum in Liverpool’s favour.
A dangerous ball was floated into Mane, but the Senegalese forward produced a disastrous mis-kick, which left the chance to fall away.
Former Reds star Jamie Redknapp admitted that the 28-year-old was in ‘need’ of some ‘confidence’, adding that he needs a ball to be turned in ‘off his backside’ or something like that to turn things around.
See More: Video: Mason Mount glides past Liverpool defender Fabinho to fire Chelsea into lead after N’Golo Kante pass exposes Reds gap
Jurgen Klopp gives Sadio Mane a cuddle at half-time pic.twitter.com/JloiEJE8ee
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) March 4, 2021
Pictures from Football Daily via Sky Sports.
“Get the ball up to the frontmen. Something a bit more’s got to happen for this man (Mane), he needs that cuddle, he needs a little bit of confidence, something to come in off his backside or like that.”
Mane has not registered a single goal contribution in the Premier League since he returned from an injury following his wonderful performance in the win against Spurs.
This is the star’s fifth top-flight appearance since he recovered.