Liverpool have sent a physio to accompany Sadio Mane on international duty with Senegal to protect against the chance of the winger suffering a recurrence of his hamstring injury.
Mane sustained the problem during the last international break and was initially ruled out for six weeks, although he returned a fortnight ahead of schedule to help Liverpool to a 4-1 win over West Ham United last Saturday.
The 25-year-old has joined up with Senegal again for their crucial World Cup qualifying double-header against South Africa, from which they need only two points to guarantee their place at next summer's tournament.
Liverpool are concerned about Mane suffering any setbacks as he continues to return to full fitness, though, prompting manager Jurgen Klopp to send physio Scott McAuley along with the player.
The Senegal Football Association is happy to oblige in the hope that it will also benefit from a fully fit Mane, although Klopp has already called for the winger to be left out of the country's second match should they clinch qualification on Friday.
Mane has made eight appearances across all competitions for Liverpool so far this season, scoring three goals and creating three more.
Barney Corkhill
