Jurgen Klopp says Sadio Mane "looks fit" and is available for Liverpool's opening game of the Premier League season against Norwich City at Anfield on Friday night.
The Senegalese's 2018/19 campaign went all the way up to the Africa Nations Cup final on July 19, but he returned to Melwood on Monday as Liverpool prepared to kick-off the new top-flight season against the newly-promoted Canaries.
Mane last played for Liverpool in their Champions League final victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid on June 1, but he could return to the squad as the Reds take their first step towards trying to go one better than last season's second-place finish.
Speaking at his press conference on Friday, Klopp said: "He (Mane) only had two weeks off so he didn’t lose a lot which is the good news and he looks fit.
"Wednesday was the first session and now he’s been with the team for the first time and he’s in good spirits.
"He’s an option but we will see."
The Reds will go into the game as huge favourites against Daniel Farke's men, but Klopp is wary of the challenge posed by his fellow German's side.
"The first game of the season is always difficult, Norwich have a clear plan and they have all my respect but these games are always potential banana skins," said Klopp.
"Life is a challenge - but you’ll have to ask Norwich.
"Whatever the case, this is what we have to be ready for.
"If somebody is showing up at Anfield it is always a special game, but we have a big influence on the story of the game and we should do that - that’s more important.
"You have to play the best football you can play in a moment and that’s important.
"I will ask the boys for intensity tomorrow night and keep us as the team nobody wants to play."
