Sadio Mane: How Liverpool star could make shock return for crunch Chelsea clash

Mane has been a huge miss for Liverpool since departing for the Africa Cup of Nations at the start of the month.

The 24-year-old is Liverpool's top scorer in the league this season with nine strikes but the Reds have won just once – against Plymouth in the FA Cup replay – in their last five matches.

Mane has continued his brilliant club form on the international stage at the African tournament with two goals in Senegal's opening two group matches.

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Sadio Mane has scored two goals for Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations

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Sadio Mane is Liverpool's leading goalscorer in the league this season

And the former Southampton man was rested in yesterday's final group game with qualification for the knockout stages already secured.

If Senegal reach the latter stages of the competition then Liverpool could be without their star man for a further four matches but there is a chance he might make a shock return to Merseyside this weekend.

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Liverpool have won just one in five since Sadio Mane left for the Africa Cup of Nations

Senegal face a tough quarter final against Cameroon on Saturday (7pm) and if they are knocked out, Mane may return back in time for the home match against Chelsea three days later.

If that scenario does happen, Jurgen Klopp may be reluctant to use Mane just days after a long haul flight but could be tempted to using the star forward with the title race at stake.

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