Sadio Mane gives Liverpool fans 3 reasons to smile ahead of Tottenham clash

Sadio Mane will return to Liverpool in similar form to how he left before the international break.

And that will be music to Reds’ fans ears ahead of their huge clash at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will go into the Premier League weekend on top of the table, two points above Manchester City .

But City will then retake the lead if they can beat struggling Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday lunchtime.

Whatever happens there, the focus will then switch to Anfield as Liverpool welcome Spurs for what looks to be one of the defining fixtures of their Premier League title challenge.

And given that Mane left for Senegal duty having scored 11 goals in his last 11 games for the club, supporters would have been anxious that he made it through his nation’s matches unscathed.

But not only did he do that, he shone with a stunning cameo appearance on Tuesday.

Having started the 2-0 Africa Nations Cup qualifier win over Madagascar on Saturday, Mane began the game in Dakar on the bench, only to emerge for the final 15 minutes with Senegal 1-0 down.

With two minutes remaining, Mane span past his marker, beat another man and then stroked home a marvellous equaliser.

And then, in stoppage time, he turned provider as his low ball into the six yard box was swept home by Moussa Konate for the winner.

So with a goal, an assist and just 15 minutes of playing time, Mane gave Liverpool fans three reasons to be cheerful on Tuesday.

They’ll be desperate for his form to continue into the weekend and beyond.