It was reported that the pair had carried out a threat to boycott the national team following the acrimonious departure of World Cup coach Bruno Metsu.

But the Anfield club rejected those claims, explaining that Diouf was visiting his step-father who is dying of cancer and Diao was given time off.

"There is absolutely no question of disciplinary action being taken against either player," a Liverpool spokesman told the club's website.

"El Hadji Diouf had permission from both the manager and the club to fly to Senegal to see his step-father who, sadly, is dying from cancer. He will return to Liverpool at the weekend.

"Salif Diao, along with the rest of the squad, was given two days off this week and will return to training with the players not on international duty at Melwood."

Diouf and Diao were in the Senegal side that reached the World Cup quarter-finals and were expected to be in the squad for Sunday's African Nations Cup qualifier against Lesotho.