Liverpool news: Mohamed Salah in contention for Leicester start, but Sadio Mane ruled out
- Planet Sport writer
- 8 February 2022
After the pair faced off in the AFCON final, Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Salah is in the running for a start against Leicester, while Mane will definitely miss out.
Egypt and Senegal faced off in a climactic AFCON final on Sunday evening, where Sadio Mane stole the headlines by netting the winning penalty.
By scoring, he ensured Salah didn't have a chance to step up to the spot, winning his nation a first major trophy in the process.
Now just four days after the dramatic finale, Mane and Salah are expected back at Liverpool ahead of their Premier League clash with Leicester.
However, while Salah is already back training and preparing for the match, Mane travelled with the Senegal squad to celebrate their victory, meaning he's unavailable to face the Foxes on Thursday.
Focused 👊 https://t.co/ITC2dRGsRH pic.twitter.com/m2PSZ7LHFM
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 8, 2022
Ahead of Thursday's meeting, Jurgen Klopp explained the duo's situation.
"Mo is now back, I spoke already to him," said Klopp.
"He is very disappointed of course, but looking forward to all the things coming up here now.
"Pretty much the first thing Mo told me was 'I'm ready'. He is an experienced player, he is a physical monster, to be honest, so we have to see."
"He's back!" 😁
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 8, 2022
Welcome back, @MoSalah 👋 pic.twitter.com/xMyh4SNtKi
The 54-year-old German also commented on Mane's victory last Sunday.
"It means the world to him, it means the world to his people, it means the world to Senegal and we respect that a lot and we would never consider to have called him back from there or whatever.
"Let them do what they do in the moment because they deserve it.
"They've had an incredibly intense time, so when he is back, we will talk to him and we will see how we can use him."
While Salah will likely play a part in Liverpool's clash against Leicester on Thursday, Mane can be expected back for their trip to Burnley on February 13.
