Did Southampton miss Mane against Liverpool?

Ronald Koeman dropped Mane for lateness

Sadio Mane was dropped from the starting line-up against Liverpool on Sunday after reporting late for Saints' pre-match meal.

Boss Ronald Koeman admitted afterwards that such behaviour isn't tolerable. But did Mane's absence contribute to Southampton's downfall in a crucial game?

Mane had not long returned from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal when this indiscretion cost him his place in the team.

The winger has been impressive since joining the club from Salzburg last summer, scoring six goals in 17 league appearances ahead of Liverpool's visit.

Given the on-going struggles of leading scorer Graziano Pelle, it seems safe to assume Koeman won't have taken the decision to drop Mane lightly.

Pelle again failed to hit the target, extending his recent run to just one goal in 15 league appearances.

Replacing Mane in the starting eleven was on-loan Benfica midfielder Filip Djuricic - earning his first start for the Saints.

It would be hard to imply that Mane's absence was the decisive factor in the defeat that allowed Liverpool to close to within a point of Southampton in the Premier League standings.

The Reds hit the front thanks to a wonderful piece of individual brilliance from Philippe Coutinho inside four minutes.

Thereafter the home side enjoyed the lion's share of possession before being undone by a swift counter from Liverpool with Raheem Sterling eventually capitalising on a defensive error from Matt Targett.

In between times, Southampton had a more than credible penalty appeal waved away by Kevin Friend that could have offered the home side a foothold in the game.

That said Mane was a significant threat when he was introduced in place of James Ward-Prowse just before the hour.

Southampton really penned Liverpool back and the 22-year-old looked lively and threatening on the ball.

He had just 15 minutes to influence the game before Sterling added a second Liverpool goal and the Reds effectively killed the contest off.

In the aftermath, Koeman admitted the reasons behind Mane's exclusion and given the Dutchman's words it seems hard to imagine it was a first offence.

"Everybody can be late one day in the morning, but you can't be late at 1.00pm when you have to play against Liverpool," the Southampton manager explained. "I can't and don't accept that."

The inference seemed to suggest Mane had been given ample warning as to the consequences of his tardy time keeping.

It was a bad day at the office for all connected with Southampton and the defeat means that Koeman's team have failed to win any of their last five games at St Mary's since defeating Arsenal on New Year's Day - failing to score in three of those games.

It is of course what happens next that must concern Koeman now.

Despite a recent blip, Southampton remain very much the masters of their own destiny.

They are just a point behind fourth-placed Manchester United and the dream of a top four finish is far from over.

Encouragingly for Koeman, Mane did not seem to show any dissent over his punishment.

When introduced he looked the most likely player to get Southampton back into the game and certainly didn't show any signs of having got the hump with his manager.

Koeman will hope that his punishment has served a purpose on this occasion and can help maintain the togetherness that has helped get Southampton to where they are.

The lack of goals recently is a worry for Southampton.

So impressive early in the season, Pelle and Dusan Tadic must prove they have a second wind to come. Along with Mane, their form is going to dictate which direction Southampton's season goes in from here.

The next three visitors to the south coast - Crystal Palace, Burnley and Hull - offer Koeman and Southampton an opportunity to get back on track.

With a slap on the wrists administered, Mane should have a point to prove in the weeks ahead.

He may have been too late for Liverpool but there is time to rectify the situation.