Liverpool pull out stops to get indispensable forward back in time for Chelsea showdown

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Liverpool have reportedly arranged a private jet to fly winger Sadio Mane back from the Africa Cup of Nations in time to face Chelsea on Tuesday night.

The 24-year-old was left distraught on Saturday after missing a decisive penalty in a shootout with Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

While he will be devastated that he fell short with his country, his club are certainly in need of him as soon as possible and as The Sun report, they’re prepared to do whatever it takes to get him back to Merseyside ahead of Tuesday’s game with Chelsea at Anfield.

It’s reported that Fenway Sports Group have arranged for a private jet to pick him up, as Jurgen Klopp will hope that he’s at least fit enough to make the bench on Tuesday.

Given Liverpool’s record since Mane left for the Africa Cup of Nations, it’s no real surprise that they want him back immediately as they’ve won just one in eight games in all competitions.

Having crashed out of the EFL Cup and FA Cup, and fallen to fourth place in the Premier League table, 10 points adrift of leaders Chelsea, Tuesday’s home game is huge for them to keep their title hopes alive.

Another defeat would be crushing for Klopp and his players, and so the need for Mane, who has been a revelation at Anfield since his summer switch from Southampton, is evident.

Aside from the results, Liverpool have been far less clinical in front of goal and their win percentage has plummeted without the former Southampton man. It remains to be seen if they can get him back and get him ready in time for Antonio Conte’s visit to Anfield, but it would give the squad a huge lift if he does return.

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