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Sadio Mane admits he will leave Liverpool with a heavy heart early in the new year - but he’s confident they will maintain their challenge for the Premier League title without him.

The gifted winger, who grabbed a dramatic late winner in Monday night’s Merseyside derby at Goodison, will link up with the Senegal squad following the Reds’ Premier League clash at Sunderland on January 2.

Mane’s involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations means he could miss as many as eight matches for Liverpool in all competitions. However, he’s convinced that the return from injury of Daniel Sturridge - coupled with Philippe Coutinho’s comeback - will soften the blow of his departure.

The £30million signing has mixed emotions ahead of the tournament in Gabon. Walking away from club duties at such a crucial stage of the campaign will be tough but he’s proud to represent his country.

“It will not be easy for me to go with Senegal next month,” Mane said.

“I would love to carry on playing with my team-mates and help my team, but I think they will understand because it is my country and it is my dream.

“I will be wishing them good luck, but without me the team will be the same. Even better I think. They will cope.

“Coutinho will come back. (Joel) Matip will come back and Sturridge is back now. I am very happy for him.

“It has not been easy for him being out, he has had a lot of injuries. But you know he can deliver important performances for the team. That is why the team will be strong (while I am away).”

Mane celebrated his eighth goal of the season when he struck in the 94th minute against Everton. Victory enabled Jurgen Klopp’s side to reduce Chelsea’s lead at the top of the Premier League to six points going into Christmas.

The 24-year-old believes it was the kind of dogged triumph which proved that Liverpool are genuine contenders.

“I think wins like this shows that we will be there,” Mane added.

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“We are not thinking about Chelsea. We are focusing on our team and it was important to get the three points.

“We take each game at a time. It is still early to talk about what is going to happen, but one of our ambitions is to go far as possible.

“It was a very important goal. The performance of the team was great and we are very happy to get the three points.

“It was a different type of win from us and that’s good. It was a derby and everybody knows how these games are. The most important thing was not how we played but to have the win.

"We got it and we are going to keep going now.”