Mane reveals message to Salah after AFCON final
Mohamed Salah has told Liverpool he wants to resume training on Tuesday as he looks to overcome his Africa Cup of Nations final heartbreak.
Salah saw his hopes of glory with Egypt on Sunday dashed by Reds team-mate Sadio Mane, who scored the decisive penalty for Senegal in the shoot-out following a goalless draw in Cameroon.
While Mane travelled to his homeland to celebrate his country’s first-ever AFCON triumph, Salah was back in England on Monday.
And the forward has declared his intention to resume training at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre at Kirkby on Tuesday, putting him in contention for Thursday’s Premier League visit of Leicester City.
read also:EPL: Mo Salah ready for an immediate Liverpool return
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, though, will be mindful of not over-exerting the Egyptian given the player’s heavy workload over the past month.
Both Salah and Mane haven’t featured for Liverpool since scoring in their 2-2 Premier League draw at Chelsea on January 2.
Each played seven games at the AFCON, although Salah played 120 minutes four times in 12 days with three of Egypt’s knockout games going to penalties.
Mane is not expected to return to Merseyside until nearer the Leicester game.
Sadio Mane revealed that he told Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah that it’s a pleasure to play alongside him, after Egypt lost to Senegal in the African Cup of Nations final.
The Pharaohs lost 4-2 on penalties in Sunday’s showpiece to hand Senegal their maiden title in the competition.
The subplot surrounding the final centred on the two Reds forwards, who almost seemed destined to meet at the Olembe Stadium for the tournament’s conclusion.
Mane was the hero for Senegal, scoring the winning penalty for his country after the contest finished goalless after 120 minutes.
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Moments after the shoot-out ended, Mane went over to console Salah and assured his teammate he would have opportunities to win the tournament in the future.
“I told him that he remains a very great player and it’s a pleasure to play for the same club,” Mane said to beIN SPORTS via Metro .
“I have so much respect for him and he gave everything for his country.
“Unfortunately, he didn’t win, but that doesn’t mean it’s over for him.
“I also told him that he still has many things to win, including the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. They have a young team so maybe they will win it one day.”