Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Liverpool’s attempts to fly Sadio Mane back early from the African Cup of Nations were denied.
Mane was due to arrive on Merseyside this morning after the Reds’ owners Fenway Sports Group chartered a plane for him to jet home from Gabon.
Liverpool had hoped to call on the Senegal winger for Tuesday’s visit of Chelsea following his country’s elimination from the tournament’s quarter final stage.
But Klopp has claimed that efforts to fast-track Mane’s return to Melwood were denied as he faces a challenge to be included against the Premier League leaders.
He said: “I don’t know exactly [if he will feature].
“[Player liaison manager] Ray Haughan and his team did an outstanding job to bring him back as soon as possible. He’s on his way [but] we thought it would be possible yesterday.
“We had the plane there but he was not allowed to go so we had to wait to bring the plane from [point] A to B.
“But now it’s all good and he will be here tonight at some point. Then, we have to see.
“Of course we will be in tomorrow morning and we have to make a decision. In this moment, I have no idea.
“I have to look in his eyes, see whatever is possible with him and then make a decision.”