Liverpool can cope with Sadio Mane's absence in January, Jan Molby says

Liverpool have a good enough squad to make up for Sadio Mane's absence in January, former Reds midfielder Jan Molby has said.

Mane, 24, could miss up to seven games for Liverpool during the month, including a Premier League trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on 14 January, due to his participation in the African Cup of Nations.

Manager Jurgen Klopp has indicated that he may dip into the transfer market to bring in reinforcements in January, but Molby insisted that the German coach already had the personnel in his squad to cover for Mane's absence.

"He'll be missed when he goes to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, but this is a real team effort at Anfield nowadays, and everybody is sharing the load," the ex-midfielder wrote in the Liverpool Echo.

"We're in a position where we're not missing key players more than other sides would.

"It was interesting to hear Klopp talking of potential transfers in January. If the right man is available, they'll be interested, and they are certainly being linked with interesting young players around Europe.

"It wouldn't be imperative to bring someone in when Mane goes, though. If we don't win the title in May, not signing somebody wouldn't be the reason."

Liverpool are top of the Premier League table after 11 matches and are on a 12-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Molby said it was too early to label Liverpool as title favourites, but added that many opposition teams "won't be able to live with" the Reds' attacking play.

"They score one, two, three, and still they run quicker and harder. There is no respite. Some teams might think they can expose our frailties at the back, but down the other end, they can't deal with it," he wrote.

"It's difficult to say what will happen, you don't quite know how other teams will do and Klopp will be thinking it's 26 years since the last title, so he's right to take one game at a time.

"In his words: they're in a good moment, and have to stay in it."