Cape Town - Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has dismissed any lingering injury fears ahead of Saturday's highly-anticipated clash with defending Premier League champions Leicester City.
The Senegal international represented his country in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Namibia at the weekend, but gave supporters cause for concern after being on the receiving end of clumsy challenge.
It was initially feared the off-season signing from Southampton had suffered a knee injury, but Mane has revealed it was nothing more than a knock.
As such, the Liverpool new boy has declared himself available for the clash with the Foxes at Anfield.
"I'm fit. It's true I got a little kick in the back of the knee, but it was nothing special - it happened in the first half and I played for the rest of the game," he told his club's official website.
"I'd spoke with the coach and because we have new players, he wanted to try (them) and change me, so the substitution was not due to injury.
"The most important thing is I am here today at Melwood, I am happy to be fit and will get myself ready for Leicester in the rest of the week."
He added: "I spoke to the coach (Klopp) and told him everything was OK, I am 100 percent fit and there was nothing specific (to report).
"After the game, I went to the airport to take a flight. When I reached Paris the following morning, I had many messages on my phone with people and my family asking what happened because they saw in the press I had an injury.
"I said to them, 'no, no, I am okay!'."
The Senegal international represented his country in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Namibia at the weekend, but gave supporters cause for concern after being on the receiving end of clumsy challenge.
It was initially feared the off-season signing from Southampton had suffered a knee injury, but Mane has revealed it was nothing more than a knock.
As such, the Liverpool new boy has declared himself available for the clash with the Foxes at Anfield.
"I'm fit. It's true I got a little kick in the back of the knee, but it was nothing special - it happened in the first half and I played for the rest of the game," he told his club's official website.
"I'd spoke with the coach and because we have new players, he wanted to try (them) and change me, so the substitution was not due to injury.
"The most important thing is I am here today at Melwood, I am happy to be fit and will get myself ready for Leicester in the rest of the week."
He added: "I spoke to the coach (Klopp) and told him everything was OK, I am 100 percent fit and there was nothing specific (to report).
"After the game, I went to the airport to take a flight. When I reached Paris the following morning, I had many messages on my phone with people and my family asking what happened because they saw in the press I had an injury.
"I said to them, 'no, no, I am okay!'."