Jurgen Klopp has reassured Senegal he will not stand in the way of Sadio Mane joining their squad for vital World Cup qualifiers against South Africa.

But the Liverpool manager insisted he still doesn't have the first clue if the star winger will be fit to take on the task of steering his nation to the finals in Russia next summer.

Senegal need two points from the two games when they face their African rivals on November 10 and 14, and his national coach, the former Birmingham midfielder Aliou Cisse, insisted Mane will be ready for the games which will decide who reaches the finals in Russia next summer.

"In my mind there's no doubt he will be with us for the double header against South Africa and that he will be 100 percent fit,” Cisse explained.

Mane was injured on international duty with Senegal in their 2-0 win over Cape Verde Islands (
Image:
AFP)
Mane has not returned to full training yet (
Image:
Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Klopp has not disputed that fact, but explained that the player has been doing rehab indoors, including some running with physios, so he still doesn't know if the attacker can make the showdown.

“I don't know how he [Cisse] can know – I don't know, that's how it is!” he said.

“Sadio is still in rehab, it is indoor, not even for any exercise outside, that's the situation at the moment. If he is fit earlier I would be really happy but nobody knows at the moment, there is nothing else to say.

“They have very important games don't they, so to be qualified for the World Cup I imagine they feel the pressure a little bit, we can not change the situation.

"If Sadio is fit why would be hide it, if he is fit we can do nothing and he will go with the national team.”

Everyone stay calm! (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)
Klopp says his side have improved defensively (
Image:
REUTERS)

Klopp revealed he has some issues with a few players unable to train following their record breaking Champions' League win in Maribor on Tuesday, so he gave all his squad the day off yesterday.

He will assess the squad for the visit to Spurs on Sunday, but he admitted he is relishing the challenge of facing one of the few Premier League sides who are ready to take Liverpool on in head to head contest of pure football.

Klopp is looking forward to the test against Pochettino's men (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

“Tottenham is a fantastic football team and a football playing team at the top of the league,” he explained.

“We played so far well, that's a nice football game all the supporters are looking forward to it, both teams don't hesitate at all with any investment.

“So far Tottenham did a little bit better than us results wise, but they can play better than they did so far, and we can play better too.

"Like Manchester City they are a team who will play (against us) – and I am really looking forward to these games.”

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