Sadio Mane will miss the Community Shield against Manchester City but could be back in time to face Norwich on the opening day of the Premier League season, Jurgen Klopp has outlined.
The Senegalese winger will return to Melwood on Monday, August 5, following his exertions at the Africa Cup of Nations, according to the Liverpool ECHO.
It was thought that he would be given three weeks off, as is standard for players in his situation, but he’ll be back almost a week earlier with the opening day in mind.
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Whether Mane starts against Norwich on the Friday of the same week of his return seems unlikely, but he could be on the bench, which would be a big boost.
Given he’s had very little rest this summer, there might be an agreement in place with Senegal that he will not go on international duty in September so he can have a proper rest then. Whatever the plan is, having him available as much as possible is clearly the target.