The Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp joked about the advice he gave to forward Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo, as the in-form pair head off for international duty.
Salah, who scored twice in their last Premier League win against Newcastle, is representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Endo is off to captain Japan for the Asian Cup.
Klopp told a news conference ahead of his side’s FA Cup tie against Arsenal that he hopes they go out at the group stage so they can return to Anfield as quickly as possible, before smiling and wishing them good luck and good health for their international tournaments.
FA Cup third round: 10 things to look out for this weekend
Liverpool’s Wataru Endo admits mixed feelings over Asian Cup departure
Who’s missing? The Premier League players off to Afcon and Asian Cup
About Author
More Stories
Former England footballer Kieron Dyer settles Mirror phone-hacking case
Farewell, Rafael Nadal: it was my pleasure to know one of sport’s most gracious champions | Kevin Mitchell
Will Marta write new chapter in NWSL final after season of broken records?