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Jurgen Klopp has provided an update on when Sadio Mane will be back after his Africa Cup of Nations success, while he offered some advice for Mohamed Salah – not that he feels he needs it.

It could have been fate that Liverpool’s two African forwards would make it all the way to the final of AFCON. Mane’s Senegal beat Salah’s Egypt in a penalty shootout; the former’s spot kick was decisive before his clubmate even got to take one.

Senegal have been celebrating accordingly, meaning Mane’s return for Liverpool is not yet clear.

Klopp expects the winger to return on Wednesday. But it remains to be seen if he will be able to get straight back to club action for Thursday’s game between Liverpool and Leicester.

Klopp confirmed at a press conference: “Sadio is not back yet.

“We said it’s such a big thing for Senegal and we didn’t want to stress anywhere there by bringing Sadio back. I think it will be tonight he is back.”

There were contrasting emotions for Salah, though. He was due to be Egypt’s fifth penalty taker but his side had already lost by that point.

Salah’s return to Liverpool has subsequently been quicker. Klopp clarified how the 29-year-old has been affected by the defeat.

“He is happy to be back but is disappointed as well. Yesterday everyone could see that he still has the final in his mind.”

But the German tactician responded with a question of his own to claims that Salah’s setback could make him more determined upon his return to club duties.

“Greater determination for Mo? I am not sure that is human. I don’t think there’s a lot space for more determination in Mo’s mind.

“He will use this kind of thing, that’s the job of all of us, losing a final is hard, but using it for next big game can at least help.

“We are the best example of that, losing a final is hard. But if you use it for the next big tournament, it can still be helpful.

“How we will benefit from it exactly, I don’t know.”

Klopp gets ‘exactly’ what he wanted from Luis Diaz

Last month, Liverpool signed Luis Diaz from Porto to ease the burden on the likes of Salah and Mane.

There is much excitement about Diaz at Anfield at present. He was Liverpool’s only signing of the January transfer window and it looks to have been a smart move.

The Colombian attacker was in fine form for Porto in the first half of the season. He then made a positive first impression on his Liverpool debut against Cardiff City in the FA Cup.

After those encouraging signs, Klopp shed further light on how Diaz has been settling in – and what more there is to come.

The manager said: “I liked his contribution when he came on in the Cardiff.

“Yesterday he enjoyed his training session a lot. I’m not sure I ever saw a player smiling so constantly during a rondo.

“We can see he fitted in during the last game. He played exactly as we wanted him to. There’s a lot more to come.”

Also in the FA Cup clash, Klopp saw some positive signs from younger members of his squad. Indeed, he insisted everyone he selects is of the level that the club require.

“The young boys did great; their future is bright and that is really cool. They took their opportunity.

“Other players, they are all LFC players and that is the job we agree on: when you play, you perform. We’ve never moaned about the quality of the players.”

READ MORE: Close source explains how Tottenham were ‘caught’ by ‘elite’ Liverpool in Luis Diaz battle

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