Liverpool have confirmed via their official website that Sadio Mane will be out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury.

What's happened?

The 25-year-old suffered the problem while playing for Senegal in the team's World Cup qualifier over the Cape Verde Islands on Saturday.

Mane had played 89 minutes of the match before he was forced off in the 2-0 victory for his nation.

The attacking star will now miss a handful of games for Liverpool, including Saturday's lunchtime showdown against arch rivals Manchester United.

As well as that clash at Anfield, Mane is expected to be absent from Premier League meetings with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton, as well as two Champions League group games against Maribor.

Could this affect the result against United?

The influence that Mane has on the pitch for the Reds could cost them against their biggest enemies.

Liverpool possess a wealth of attacking talent in Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, but the Senegal international has become vital to Jurgen Klopp's team.

In seven appearances in all competitions, Mane has scored three goals and created one assist.

Not only will the winger's pace be missed by the Merseyside outfit, they also lose his intelligence and creativity on the ball.

Liverpool were already underdogs heading into the fixture against Jose Mourinho's team due to just one win in seven, whereas United are unbeaten in 10.

Losing Mane has made the hill a little bit steeper for Liverpool to climb.

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