Sadio Mane has backed Liverpool to maintain their Premier League title push during his appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Senegal forward scored the winning goal in Monday’s Merseyside derby win over Everton but is set to be unavailable for the Reds from early next month.
Mane will represent his country at the tournament in Gabon, which will rule him out of games against Manchester United, leaders Chelsea and an EFL Cup semi-final with Southampton.
But the 24-year-old is confident that Jurgen Klopp’s side can continue their current trajectory in the four weeks without him.
He said: “It will not be easy for me to go with Senegal next month.
“I would love to carry on playing with my team-mates and help my team, but I think they will understand because it is my country and it is my dream.”
“I will be wishing them good luck, but without me the team will be the same, even better I think.
“They will cope. Coutinho will come back. [Joel] Matip will come back and Sturridge is back now.
“I am very happy for him, it has not been easy for him being out, he has had a lot of injuries. But you know he can deliver important performances for the team.
“That is why the team will be strong.”