Why is Sadio Mane not playing for Liverpool against Manchester United?

Sadio Mane has dropped to the bench for Liverpool’s trip to Manchester United this afternoon.

The winger is one of two changes Jurgen Klopp has made from Tuesday night’s 3-2 win at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Why isn’t Mane playing?

Diogo Jota gets the nod alongside Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino ahead of Mane.

The Senegal international has scored six goals in 11 games for the Reds this season.

He’s on the bench so is unlikely injured and more of a tactical decision from Klopp.

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the game, the Liverpool boss said he needed to rotate and use his whole squad.

Klopp said: “I just have to use the squad, that’s how it is. In a game like this, I’m not changing six, seven times but Diogo before the international break was in fantastic scoring form.

“He went to the national team, got slightly injured and needed a bit of time.”

Konate’s chance

The other change is Ibrahima Konate replacing Joel Matip in central defence.

The £36 million summer signing from RB Leipzig makes just his second Premier League outing.

Matip is also fit enough to be named among the substitutes.

Klopp said: “Ibou is training on the highest level. Joel is a great player but we cannot just push it through all the time.

“We saw a few things where we thought: ‘That would be a good game for Ibou’. Now he starts alongside Virgil and the other guys and hopefully has a good game.”

No Fabinho

Fabinho was expected to start in the engine room after coming on at half-time against Atletico.

However, he has a slight knee problem and is unavailable so Naby Keita keeps his place.

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Milner, Keita; Jota, Salah, Firmino.