SAIDO MANE HAVE BEEN SOLELY MISSED AT LIVERPOOL, DECLARES GERRARD.

Sadio Mane is the reason Liverpool's form has plummeted.
That's the opinion of Reds legend Steven Gerrard, who bemoaned the striker's absence and claimed his former club "miss him so much".

Speaking in the above BT Sport video, Gerrard explained that Liverpool have been less effective going forward, and have been unable to stretch teams without him.

He praised the Senegalese forward's pace and claimed that when he is in the mood he has the ability to take two or even three defenders out of a match.

Gerrard goes on to state that it is these gaps - the space he creates in attacking areas - that Liverpool have previously been able to capitalise from.

And without him, have struggled to break teams down, despite enjoying huge spells of possession.

Mane hasn't featured for Liverpool since the 2-2 with Sunderland on January 2, because of his international commitments in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite Jurgen Klopp's men dropping two points in that game, the Senegalese got himself on the score sheet, and the Reds' form has since plummeted.

They've won just once in the following six fixtures - in an FA Cup third round replay against League Two side Plymouth - and were knocked out from the EFL Cup by Southampton over two legs.

On Saturday Liverpool lost 2-1 to Championship outfit Wolves, in their FA Cup fourth round clash at Anfield.

The club have won just one game in all competitions in 2017.
When asked how he felt about Mane representing his country at the Africa Cup of Nations,

Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp admitted he had "mixed emotions."
"We knew about the Africa Cup of Nations before - it is the same for all teams," says Klopp.

"We have a lot of respect for what they are doing there. It is not too cool being in the middle of our season."

The Reds would however, be pleased to welcome their star man back to the team as the Terenga Lions have been knocked out of the AFCON.

He could even feature against the league leaders Chelsea on Tuesday in a match which could make or break Liverpool's season.

Sadio Mane's fifth and final penalty for Senegal was comfortably saved by Carmeroon goalkeeper, Joseph Ondoa.

Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar made no mistake from the spot to blast his country into the last four of the tournament at the expense of Senegal.