Liverpool got some good news before the clash against Chelsea as Sadio Mane is set to return to the Merseyside club soon. The Senegalese forward did have heartbreak as his side lost out on penalties in the African Cup of Nations but Klopp is hopeful that Mane can play in the high-voltage clash against the Blues.

Mane missed the all-important penalty for Senegal in their match on Saturday and with the Reds struggling for form, they will hope that the former Southampton man is fit to play in the game.

Jurgen Klopp’s team has only won one game in 2017 and that too came against Plymouth Argyle in an FA Cup replay. They have also been knocked out of two cup competitions and lost at home to Swansea.

Klopp would expect Mane, who has scored nine goals in 19 games for the Merseyside club, to start against Antonio Conte’s side but did state that the decision would be taken only after meeting with the player at the club.

“I don’t know exactly [if he will be involved]. Ray Haughan and the team management did an outstanding job to bring him back as soon as possible. He is now on his way and that is good,” Klopp said, as reported by the club’s official website.

“We thought it would be possible yesterday, we had the plane there, but he was not allowed to go in the plane so we had to wait. Now it is all good and he will be here tonight at some point, then we will have to see.

“I spoke to him, it’s all good so far, but of course he will be in tomorrow morning and then we have to make a decision. In this moment, I have no idea – I have to look into his eyes and see whatever is possible with him and then make a decision.

“Sadio is back, hopefully tonight, and we have to decide whether we can involve him for tomorrow somehow or not. Then, everything is like it was before he left.”

Liverpool are a one Mane team?

When Mane left for the African Cup of Nations, Liverpool still had a chance of picking up silverware but without the forward, they have been a shadow of the impressive team from the first half of the season.

The lack of penetrative movement and intelligent running in the attack has greatly hurt Liverpool but with Mane returning now, there is hope that he can be the difference against the Blues. Philippe Coutinho will be the other player that Liverpool hope can reignite their fading hopes for a title tilt.

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