Liverpool winger Sadio Mane underwent medical tests to try and find an explanation for his poor form this season.
In an interview with Canal+, Mane also admitted that this has been the worst season of his career.
The Senegal star has performed well below his best this campaign. He has scored just nine Premier League goals so far.
In the interview, Mane said: “This is the worst season of my career. I have to admit it. If you ask me what is wrong I will struggle to give you an answer.
“I have always tried to be positive, whether things are going well or badly. I question myself all the time.
Mane continued: “I even underwent a test to take a look at my body. Am I eating the right foods, or has everything changed? But they checked the test results, and everything is fine.
“I need to understand that in life there are ups and downs. I will keep on working hard – and perhaps in time this situation will pass.”
Can Mane recover his best form?
The fact that Mane has gone to such extents to try and rectify his form is telling.
We all know that he has had a very poor season. Yet the circumstances have changed in recent months.
Mane went on a barren spell in front of goal midway through the campaign. But his performances were still reasonably good.
He still looked dangerous in possession and his touch and decision making were still near-perfect. It was poor fortune and good defending that prevented him from contributing on the scoresheet.
This has all but disappeared recently. It feels like every time he gets the ball, he loses it.
Under normal circumstances, this would be put down to fatigue and lack of confidence. From his interview, it is clear that these are big factors in his mind.
The only issue is that he is now 29. He is approaching the end of his natural peak.
Hopefully, though, a summer off will do him the world of good and we will see the world-class Sadio Mane once again in 2021/22.
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