Jurgen Klopp has denied claims Sadio Mane could return to Liverpool training next week.
Mane is currently at the beginning of an anticipated six weeks on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring problem while on international duty with Senegal.
But the Reds winger had been tipped for an early comeback when he was named in the national side for their World Cup qualifying play-off encounter next month.
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse claimed that Mane would be ‘100% fit’ to take on South Africa in a two-legged tie despite his recent injury lay-off.
However Klopp cast doubt on those suggestions on Friday, admitting that Liverpool are unsure as to whether the 25-year-old will make a premature return.
He said: “I don’t know how [Cisse] can know. I don’t know, that’s how it is.
“Sadio is still in rehab, indoor, he was not even on any exercise outside. That’s the situation at the moment.
“If he’s fit earlier I’d be really happy but no-one knows in this moment. Nothing else to say.
“They have very important games, at least one anyway, they need one point from two games I think to qualify for the World Cup so I imagine they feel the pressure a little bit.”