As Liverpool prepare for their biggest fixture of the last decade, an interesting development has emerged regarding how the holy month of Ramadan may impact the Champions League final.
The Reds booked their place in the Kiev showdown after bettering Roma over two legs, which resulted in an incredible 13 goal haul.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will now play for the chance to win a sixth European cup and add to the club’s illustrious history, though will be counting on the likes of deadly front men Mane and Salah to fire them to glory.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane will fast for Ramadan during the Champions League final
The front pairing, along with the soon to be returning Emre Can, are each practicing Muslims who adhere to the month-long period of fasting each year – one of the five pillars of Islam.
With Ramadan beginning on Tuesday, May 15, and lasting until Thursday, June 14 the Kiev showdown takes place in the middle, posing the question of how the elite level athletes will be affected by the dramatic shift in their dietary habits and nourishment.
The holy period, which marks the ninth month of the Muslim year and the window in which the Quran – or Koran – was first revealed to the prophet Muhammad by Allah, will be 11 days in by the time the Champions League final comes around.
In this period practicing Muslims cannot eat or drink during daylight hours, from dawn through until sunset.
The duo have been pivotal in Liverpool’s incredible European run this season
Returning midfielder Emre Can could be back for the final, and will also fast for Ramadan
Real Madrid’s Achraf Hakimi will also have his dietary preparation impacted by Ramadan
Out in Kiev, sunset will occur at around just before 9pm local time on the day of the final – approximately 50 minutes before kick-off.
Options do exist however, with players able to miss a day of fasting and make it up before the next period of Ramadan, though it remains unknown how the Liverpool trio will approach the matter, depending on their individual beliefs.
During an interview with the Mail on Sunday in December 2016, Mane spoke of his devotion to his religion, and the importance it plays within his life.
‘Religion is very important to me. I respect the rules of Islam and I pray five times a day, always,’ said the Senegalese maestro.
As for Salah, during his Chelsea days the Egyptian admitted he found it tough balancing Ramadan with a pre-season schedule. The holy month falling later on the year in question due to the changing lunar cycle.
‘Ramadan was a bit difficult for me because we had two training sessions every day, the weather was very hot and I played in every game,’ Salah told the club website.
‘I wasn’t even able to drink water until 9.30pm. Although I am used to it, it’s finished now and I can eat and drink as normal.
‘When you train twice a day, your energy levels drop by the second session, but it means a lot to me so I’m very happy and I feel good.’
Liverpool will bid to win their sixth Champions League title, more than any other English side
A fellow Liverpool player has a light-hearted solution to the matter however, insisting he will take up the eating duties for all.
Speaking recently to El Partidazo, full-back Alberto Moreno playfully suggested: ‘I think Salah trains at 20 per cent because he’s scared of injuring himself. Now it’s Ramadan, I’ll eat and drink for him, that’s something I can do!’