Liverpool returned to Champions League action at the Wanda Metropolitano against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, and it is fair to say it didn’t quite go to plan for the Reds as they lost 1-0. Jurgen Klopp is attempting to reach a third successive final in the competition and retain the crown which Liverpool lifted for a sixth time last term. Still, he will probably not have anticipated the switch he felt he was forced into making at half time in Madrid. The German manager thought he “had to substitute” Sadio Mane after the Senegalese winger was “targeted” by Simeone’s side.
“They wanted to make sure he got a yellow card,” said Klopp, but he was adamant one of his critical assets would be present in the second leg and removed him at half time. Mane had a turgid 45 minutes in Madrid and failed to influence the game in attacking areas, as neither he nor any other Liverpool play put a shot on target.
Additionally, the winger failed to provide a key pass for a teammate or create any notable openings in the encounter. All in all, it was an uncharacteristically unproductive evening for Mane, and his manager identifying he was at risk of failing to control his temper sabotaged the Reds in forward areas rendering them toothless.
Klopp said: “Three of their players went to ground I don’t know what for,” and as frustrations mounted Mane’s game deteriorated. As per Whoscored, the winger was dispossessed once and made three unsuccessful touches, as he failed to keep the football and his emotions in check. Furthermore, the 27-year-old did not provide a single tackle, interception or clearance, but lashed out to concede two fouls and received the first yellow card of the match.
With Mane, valued at £135m (Transfermarkt), still available for the return leg at Anfield ultimately Klopp made the correct decision to remove him at the halfway stage. The winger has been a talismanic figure in the past, especially in the absence of opposite number Mohamed Salah. Still, he was at risk of derailing the Reds’ European campaign if he was given his marching orders and unavailable for the second leg. But as it stands he only sabotaged the squad for the first leg as Klopp was forced into introducing Origi who has five goals this season to Mane’s 14.
