Liverpool went from being unstoppable to losing three games in just over two weeks. It all began in their Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid which they lost 1-0 and while the Reds did bounce back immediately, beating West Ham 3-2 in the league, they went on to suffer back-to-back defeats.
The first was against Watford, their first loss in the Premier League this season, going 3-0 down against the relegation-battling side. Their most recent defeat came against Chelsea, with the Blues dumping the European champions out of the FA Cup in their 5th round showdown, which the Merseyside giants lost 2-0.
Tuesday’s result at Stamford Bridge has some worried, with fans asking what is going on with Klopp’s side. Are they missing the presence of club captain Jordan Henderson, who is out injured? Has fatigue finally got to the players? Sadio Mane offer his thoughts on the matter.
Speaking to talkSPORT after the FA Cup disappointment, the Senegalese ace refused to hit the panic button, instead opting to be calm amid the questions. The former Southampton ace insisted that slip-ups can happen to even the greatest of sides but stressed he and his team-mates must get their act together as only one week remains before they host Atletico at Anfield in the Champions League.
“The best team won today,” Mane said (as per the Daily Mail). “In the first half we played well and created many chances but we just didn't score, and Chelsea had a few chances and scored two goals, so game over.
“We created enough chances to win, but we need to be more clinical in front of the goal and that was not the case. But that's a part of football.
“I think in this moment you could be or could not be a champion, a great champion, and I think this kind of moment has happened to us, but it's not the first time and it won't be the last time
“We have another important game on Saturday [against Bournemouth] and then on Wednesday [against Atletico], so for this game, we will be ready and we will be back again.
“This can happen in football and we're used to it. We just have to keep working hard and keep going if we want to be great champions.”
Goals from Willan and Barkley won the game for Chelsea while the likes of Mane and Origi could not find the back of the net. This means Liverpool’s hopes of winning the treble are now over but the Premier League title is all but theirs. They will resume their campaign this weekend, taking on Bournemouth, before the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash.
