Sadio Mane to Have Knee Surgery and Is out for the Season, Confirms Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool winger Sadio Mane has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2016-17 season with the knee injury suffered against Everton on April 1.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Friday that Mane's campaign was finished and that he requires surgery on the problem, per Melissa Reddy of Goal:

The Senegal international has enjoyed a phenomenal debut season at Anfield, becoming a key member of Klopp's team and scoring 13 league goals, more than any other Liverpool player.

News that his season has ended is a major blow to Liverpool's hopes of Champions League qualification. Liverpool only won one of the seven matches Mane missed in January while on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal, beating Plymouth 1-0 in the FA Cup on January 18.

Klopp's team lacked energy in his absence, falling to a 3-2 league defeat against Swansea City and crashing out in the EFL Cup semi-final to Southampton. They toiled in a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth without their star man on Wednesday, too.

Fans will be deeply concerned to find out Mane will not be making another appearance until the start of the 2017-18 campaign. Liverpool are still in the running for a top-four finish, but all of their remaining games are against teams outside the top seven. They notoriously struggle to break down defensive opponents, which could mean Mane's energy is missed.

Klopp must now focus on how to get the best out of his players without their talisman leading the way. As far as Mane is concerned, a speedy recovery is needed. He will need to be fit and ready for another long summer of coaching ahead of a fresh title challenge in 2017-18.