Liverpool will be without Sadio Mane for three games... so what impact will that have for Jurgen Klopp's side and how do they line up without him?
- Sadio Mane was handed a three-game ban after his red card last weekend
- He will miss Liverpool's next three games after the FA rejected their appeal
- The forward has been instrumental for Liverpool since his arrival last season
- But Jurgen Klopp must find a way to cope with the Senegalese out of action
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Sadio Mane has been at the forefront of everything positive at Liverpool since his arrival from Southampton just over a year ago.
The Senegal international has hit the ground running at Anfield, providing Jurgen Klopp's side with pace, creativity and direction in a vaunted three-pronged attacked.
But the forward will be absent from Liverpool's next three games following his sending off against Manchester City last weekend.
Sadio Mane will sit out Liverpool's next three games following his red card last weekend
Mane was handed the ban after catching Manchester City keeper Ederson with a high boot
His high boot, which caught goalkeeper Ederson in the face, was deemed a red-card offence by referee Jon Moss and Liverpool have since had an appeal against the ban length rejected by the FA.
But just how will it affect the Reds? Mane is in such a rich vein of form and played a huge role in the club's impressive early-season run.
He has netted three times in five outings this season, which means he has now scored a formidable 16 goals in 34 games.
And his impact is felt throughout the team on a larger scale, with Liverpool scoring 2.3 goals on average when Mane starts compared to just 1.5 without him.
The Senegalese has been crucial for the Reds this season, scoring three in five games
Liverpool have superior win and points records, as well as goal return, when Mane starts
Boss Jurgen Klopp must find a way to replace Mane's goal contribution and energy in attack
His effect can be quantified by how often he is on the winning side. Klopp's side win 63.3% of games with the Senegal international in the starting line-up, but win only 41.7% when he is missing.
In league terms, since Mane's arrival on Merseyside, Liverpool average 2.1 points-per-game with him in the side and 1.6 in his absence.
Without the 25-year-old, however, Liverpool cross the ball more often, averaging 17.2 balls in the box compared to 13.9 with him, which means we may see change of tack at Anfield on the weekend.
So how does Klopp line his side up against Burnley? Well, Philippe Coutinho's comeback against Sevilla on Wednesday will have given the manager a huge boost and is likely to offer up a ready-made replacement.
The return of Philippe Coutinho against Sevilla on Wednesday will have eased Klopp's worries
Coutinho is likely to replace Mane in attack and Klopp will hope the Brazilian's form reignites
Retaining the Brazilian will have felt like a new signing this summer after fending off strong advances, and three bids, from Barcelona during the window.
Having Coutinho back to full fitness, after recovering from a curious back injury, will soften the blow of losing Mane hugely.
And Klopp will hope the playmaker can regain his exceptional form from last season to help Liverpool bounce back from their 5-0 drubbing at the hands of City last weekend, which was compounded by a frustrating draw at home to Sevilla during the week.
Coutinho is likely to slot in on the wing of a three-pronged attack against Burnley this weekend
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