Klopp disputes international manager’s claim about Sadio Mane’s fitness

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has dismissed claims made by the Senegal national team that attacker Sadio Mane will be fit for their crucial World Cup qualifiers against South Africa next month.

Mane was ruled out for six weeks after suffering a hamstring strain on October 10; however Senegal coach Alou Cisse is confident that he will be fit for the games against South Africa on 10 and 14 November.

Mane is one of the most talented players in the Liverpool squad and there is no doubt that Klopp will be frustrated with his unavailability

The German does not think that the player will be fit in time to play for his country and said: “I don’t know how he can know. I don’t know – that’s how it is. If he is fit earlier, I’d be really happy but nobody knows at this moment.”

Senegal meanwhile need just two points from their games against South Africa to ensure qualification for the World Cup. They have not qualified for the World Cup since they reached the quarter-finals in 2002.