PROPOSED Lineup: Mane Injury Changes Everything....

In case you haven't heard, Sadio Mane picked up a significant hamstring duty while on International duty with Senegal and will miss the important match vs Manchester United. Even worse, Mane is expected to miss close to 6 weeks and will also not be available against Spurs, both Champion's League fixtures vs Maribor, as well as other Premier League contests. The expectation is Mane will return to the lineup in time for the Premier League fixture vs Chelsea assuming there are no set-backs.

Needless to say, this is a HUGE blow to Liverpool. Liverpool supporters do not need to be reminded how their title aspirations last season faded with Mane's absence following a knee injury. Now they are forced to play without him once again, at a time when Klopp needed him more than ever.

And this changes everything. For the game against Manchester United as well as moving forward. Klopp has several options as far as how to lineup. For now, this is what I would propose:

Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet

No surprise here. Mignolet is Klopp's #1.......at least for Premier League matches. Look for 22 to be in the net for Liverpool.

Defense: Moreno, Lovren, Matip, Gomez

A couple of options here for Klopp. The good news is that Dejan Lovren made it through the international break dealing with injury and should be ready to go. On the outside, Klopp could choose to use Roberton and Trent Alexander-Arnold, but I would like to see the same back 4 and develop some consistency.

Midfield: Can, Henderson, Wijnaldum

With the injury to Mane, I expect to see the same midfield that was used during Coutinho's absence of Emre Can, Jordan Henderson, and Gino Wijnaldum.

Attack: Coutinho, Firmino, Salah

This was a devastating blow. Still, Liverpool can not dwell on it or feel sorry for themselves. They need to move forward and fight through their goal-scoring struggles. Jurgen Klopp could leave Coutinho at midfield and use Oxlade-Chamberlain on a wing, or Firmino out wide with Sturridge or Solanke in the middle. However, I think the trio of Coutinho, Firmino, and Salah provides the most devastating attacking and the biggest threat to Manchester United.

Regardless of the lineup Jurgen Klopp chooses to use, one player who will need to step-up his game in the coming weeks is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Chamberlain has struggled to find time since coming to Liverpool and then when he is on the pitch has just struggled. This may be the perfect opportunity for him to turn things around and prove his worth while at the same time gaining the minutes he desires.

One thing is certain, missing Sadio Mane will be a significant issue for Liverpool and will be a major challenge.