A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting to Sadio Mane‘s flat performance in the Reds’ 2-0 defeat at home to Atalanta.
Jurgen Klopp’s men hosted the Italian team in the Champions League on Wednesday night, knowing that victory would guarantee a place in the last-16.
What unfolded at Anfield was a far cry from last weekend’s superb victory over Leicester City, though, with the performance severely lacking from the first whistle until the last.
Klopp made numerous changes to his personnel, but someone who kept his place, perhaps surprisingly, was Mane. The 28-year-old took up his usual left-sided role, with Mohamed Salah on right flank and Divock Origi down the middle.
It was clear early on that Mane wasn’t himself, with the Senegalese losing possession cheaply, running into trouble and generally struggling to have any kind of impact on proceedings.
At no point did he come close to his best form, and the longer the match wore on, the more fatigued he looked.
Mane has played a lot of football of late and it may be that a rest is required away to Brighton this weekend. He only has two goals in his last nine appearances, with some patchy performances thrown in at times.
These Liverpool fans on Twitter were dismayed by the Senegal forward’s “stinker” of a performance:
worst Mane performance of his LFC career
— Sean (@SeanDOlfc) November 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/bubbIxs/status/1331715576641761282?s=20
Don’t think anyone played well, Rhys Williams was OK, but that’s the worst I’ve seen Sadio Mane play since his Southampton days.
— Dan (@Dan23_92) November 25, 2020
He's had a stinker tonight. Completely off the boil. https://t.co/T6LZpqueyG
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) November 25, 2020
Klopp made a few mistakes tonight.
Mane shouldn't of started as clearly been tired as it showed towards end of Leicester game. He played nearly all our games.
Origi simply offers nothing!!!
Midfield again looking like robots as so stiff!!
Thiago and Hendo get back ASAP!!
— CIC🎤🎧⚽️ Liverpool Forever🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 (@ukokospeaks) November 25, 2020
Sadio Mane 🤮🤮🤮
— RIDWAANULLAH. (@Ridwaan_Bello) November 25, 2020
