Liverpool star Sadio Mane tests POSITIVE for Covid-19

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. 

Sadio Mane has tested positive for coronavirus and will miss Liverpool’s trip to Aston Villa

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.’

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. 

The north-west of England, particularly the city of Liverpool, has seen numbers of Covid-19 cases rapidly rising in recent weeks. 

According to Liverpool City Council, there are currently 1323 cases-per-week diagnosed in the city, compared to 94-per-week on September 1.

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, Warrington, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough from Saturday.

More to follow.