Jurgen Klopp calls Sadio Mane to check fitness amid injury concerns

Liverpool have been boosted by the news that Sadio Mane did not suffer a serious injury while on international duty.

The winger was substituted midway through the second half of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Namibia, prompting speculation about his fitness.

Jurgen Klopp is understood to have called the 24-year-old the following day to check on his status and was given a positive response and Mane was back in for training  at Melwood on Monday.

That was a welcome news ahead of the visit of Premier League champions Leicester this weekend for the first home match of the season, when Anfield’s new Main Stand will be officially used for the first time.

Klopp will want his strongest line-up available, although he will have to wait until Thursday for the return of Philippe Coutinho, who has a long trip back from Manaus in the Amazon rainforest after Brazil duty.

Compatriot Lucas Leiva, who was not selected by his country, believes Klopp has assembled a strong squad for the campaign ahead despite not adding to it on deadline day last week.

“I think it’s clear that we have very good players in every single position – and not just one good player, I would say we have two teams you could put out to get you results,” he told liverpoolfc.com.

“Of course the Premier League is very difficult but I think the squad we have, with the new players who have made us stronger – hopefully it’s going to be a very good season for the club.

“I think it’s an okay beginning. We’ve played three games away from home in a row, and against two teams who will challenge for the top four and the title (Arsenal and Tottenham), so it’s not bad.

“But we need to get points and win games in a row as soon as possible because we want to be higher in the table.”