 |
Jurgen Klopp hugs Sadio Mane after substituting him during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Villarreal in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final |
Sadio Mane has disclosed that Liverpool has altered their usual training routine to enable Muslim players to take part in Ramadan.
This year Ramadan began on the evening of April 1 and it will end at night on May 1.
During Ramadan, Muslims customarily fast from sunrise until dusk. Fasting requires that adherents refrain from eating and drinking throughout this time.
Mane, Mo Salah, Ibrahima Konate, and Naby Keita are among Liverpool's prominent players who are Muslim.
According to Mane, club captain Jordan Henderson spoke with Jurgen Klopp on their behalf, and the manager agreed to change training sessions from the afternoon to the morning.
In an interview with beIN SPORTS, Mane explained: "It's not simple since playing, training, and observing Ramadan are all difficult tasks. However, prior to Ramadan, we attempted to speak with the captain in order to inform the boss that we might be able to adjust the timetable and train in the morning.
"It's more convenient for us. If you train in the morning, you will have plenty of time to recuperate and return home. It'll be difficult if you work out with two or three people!
"The coach said yes, which I believe makes things simpler, and we're doing our best."
Sadio Mané reveals how Liverpool has changed the schedule of the Muslim players in the squad to work around fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. 🌙🤲
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) April 27, 2022
🎤 @IbrahimKhadra#beINUCL #Ramadan #LFC pic.twitter.com/BLVWyc6zFW
"It's not easy, but the game day is something different," Mane said when asked how players deal with fasting on game days.
"Ramadan is difficult, but I believe Liverpool tries to make things easy for us."
Mane was saying before Liverpool's Champions League semi-final first leg match at Anfield versus Villarreal.
He would go on to score the second goal in Liverpool's 2-0 victory.
Because sunrise was before 6 a.m. and sunset was about 8.30 p.m. in Liverpool on Wednesday, Mane and his teammates were unable to break their fast until halftime.
Salah and Konate stayed on for the whole game, while Mane was replaced in the 73rd minute. After replacing Henderson, Keita came in for a 20-minute cameo in the second half.
Click here for more trending news