Jürgen Klopp has declared that Sadio Mane's injury is "not that serious" and revealed that Lucas Leiva is closing in on a return to Liverpool training.

The £30 million winger had to be taken to hospital on Wednesday for scans on a shoulder injury caused by a collision with a teammate in training at the club's Melwood training ground.

Fortunately, scans later revealed that Mane's injury was just a muscle injury rather than a dislocation - which could have sidelined him for as long as three months - but he is a major doubt for Saturday's trip to Burnley.

Though Klopp declared he'd rather have his summer signing in the squad for their second Premier League game of the campaign at Turf Moor, he acknowledged that it could have been worse.

Klopp: Things like Mane's injury happen in football

Mane enjoyed a stellar competitive debut at Arsenal on Sunday. (Picture: This is Anfield)
Mane enjoyed a stellar competitive debut at Arsenal on Sunday. (Picture: This is Anfield)

He told reporters in his pre-match press conference on Thursday that Mane's problem was because of "a challenge between two players in the air" and that the forward "fell on his shoulder" after coming down.

"It's not that serious," continued Klopp, who admitted that he has "no idea" whether Mane will "be available for the weekend or not" but said that it won't "take a long time" for the Senegal international to recover.

Klopp insisted that they "would have been better without this situation" but accepted that "these things will happen" and "you can't avoid this", adding: "At first [Mane's injury], it wasn't too good but now all is okay."

Lucas and Sakho getting closer to returns, says Klopp

Despite Mane's likely absence, Klopp's options will be strengthened by the returns of James Milner - expected to replace Alberto Moreno at left-back - and Daniel Sturridge.

The pair both missed the Reds' league opener at Arsenal, debutant Mane joining Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho on the scoresheet for a thrilling 4-3 victory at the Emirates Stadium.

But they have shaken off ankle and hip problems to be in contention for the trip to the newly-promoted Clarets this weekend, with Klopp also revealing Lucas isn't far away from full training.

Lucas has been out since the Reds' clash with Huddersfield Town on July 20. (Picture: Getty Images)
Lucas has been out since the Reds' clash with Huddersfield Town on July 20. (Picture: Getty Images)

Klopp confirmed that Milner and Sturridge "are back in full training" and said that Lucas, whose future remains uncertain despite a move to Galatasaray falling through, is "in a good way" and "has warmed up" with the squad in recent days.

He added that maybe "today or tomorrow" he would be back "in full team training" and on Mamadou Sakho - currently out with an Achilles injury - insisted the defender is also "in a better way" and is "not too far away" from team training.

There was no update for Sakho's fellow defender Joe Gomez, also out with an Achilles setback sustained in his recovery from a 10-month lay-off from a knee ligament problem.

With Sheyi Ojo out for a month with a minor back fracture, the returns of Sakho and Lucas, as well as that of Mane, would leave just goalkeeper Loris Karius out injured.

The German, who broke his hand in pre-season, was initially touted for an October return and was pictured in training at Melwood with the club's other goalkeepers earlier this week.

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About the author
Charlie Malam
Digital Sports Writer at the Daily Express. First-class Staffordshire University Sports Journalism graduate. Formerly VAVEL UK's Liverpool FC editor and Deputy Editor-in-Chief. Contributor since June 2014.