'Liverpool in good place'

Sadio Mane believes he is leaving Liverpool in good shape as he prepares to spearhead Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations challenge.

The 24-year-old -- whose goal in the 2-2 draw with Sunderland on Monday was his ninth for Liverpool since his £34million ($41.7m, 40.1m euros) move from Southampton -- says the squad is strong enough to make up for him playing at African football's showpiece tournament in Gabon.

Mane leaves Liverpool in second position in the table, five points adrift of leaders Chelsea, who can go eight points clear if they beat Spurs on Wednesday.

"It won't be easy for me to leave because I would like to help them until the end of the season," he told LFCTV.