This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
July 18, 2019
Senegalese forward Sadio Mane will have a challenging start to the 2019-20 season, according to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Mane is expected to participate in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Algeria on July 19, and Klopp believes this will make it difficult for him to join the rest of the Liverpool squad ahead of their Community Shield match against Manchester City on August 4.
"With Sadio, we have to see about him after the final – how he is feeling and stuff like that," Klopp said in an interview with Liverpoolfc.com.
"It will be really difficult. Sixteen days before we play City, his season is finished. We will have to make a decision, but we haven’t made it yet," Klopp added.
Meanwhile, Liverpool's trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Alisson Becker will be joining the squad in Evian later this July after participating in major international tournaments.
"Mo and the Brazilians will come for Evian. It means then we have nearly a week until City [in the Community Shield], a strong 12 days until Norwich and then 15 or 16 days until Chelsea [in the Super Cup]," Klopp said.
