Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has tested positive for coronavirus, the club have announced. Mane is self-isolating with what the club described as ‘minor symptoms’.
He has become the second member of Jurgen Klopp’s squad to contract coronavirus after summer signing Thiago tested positive earlier this week. A club statement read: ‘Sadio Mane has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently self-isolating according to the necessary guidelines.
‘The forward, who started and scored in Monday’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal, has displayed minor symptoms of the virus but feels in good health overall. ‘However, like with Thiago Alcantara, Liverpool Football Club are – and will continue to – follow all protocols relating to COVID-19 and Mane will self-isolate for the required period of time.’
In a statement posted on his Instagram account, Mane said: ‘Hello I’ve been tested positive, but I am feeling good and not showing heavy symptoms. I will begin my quarantine and recovery process immediately. ‘Make sure that you stay safe and follow all rules to protect yourself and your loved ones to avoid a second wave of the COVID-19 Virus spreading all over the world. ‘I will be back stronger than before!’
Thiago missed the Arsenal game after his own positive test and he and Mane will both be absent for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa. Manager Jurgen Klopp will hope to have both players available when Liverpool return to action after the international break in October 17’s Merseyside derby at Everton.
Mane, 28, has been in fine form this season, scoring both goals in Liverpool’s win over Chelsea before also netting against the Gunners. His enforced isolation will also affect his international commitments after Mane was named in Senegal’s squad for their upcoming friendlies against Morocco and Mauritania.
The north-west of England, particularly the city of Liverpool, has seen numbers of Covid-19 cases rapidly rising in recent weeks. According to recent figures, there have been 1,433 cases in the past week in the city, up 301 from the previous week.
As a result, the government will introduce tougher lockdown measures, such as a ban on different households meeting to combat the rise in cases. It will be illegal to meet indoors in places such as pubs in the Liverpool City Region from Saturday in measures health secretary Matt Hancock described as ‘necessary’.
Hello, I´ve been tested positive but I am feeling good and not showing heavy symptoms. I will begin my quarantine and recovery process immediately. Make sure that you stay safe and follow all rules to protect yourself and your loved ones to avoid a second wave of the COVID-19 Virus spreading all over the world. I will be back stronger than before! We will get through this together??#
Salut à tout le monde,J’ai été testé positif au Coronavirus Mais je voudrais vous rassurer que je me sens bien. Je n’ai pas de symptôme sévère. A cet effet, j’ai immédiatement été mis en quarantaine afin de bien récupérer.
Pour votre santé et celle de vos proches, continuez à respecter les mesures barrières. Vous participerez à freiner la deuxième vague de contamination et ainsi empêcher la propagation de la Covid 19 dans le monde. Je reviendrai plus fort qu’avant ! Ensemble nous sortirons de cette épreuve?? !
Daily Mail