Virgil Van Dijk Warns Sadio Mane After Senegal Denied Mo Salah's Egypt World Cup Ticket

• Virgil van Dijk has sent Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane a tailored message after the Liverpool forwards clashed in a World Cup playoff
• The playoff pitting Senegal and Egypt saw the Lions of Teranga come out on top as Mane helped them book a place in the 2022 World Cup
• In his message to the duo, Van Dijk commiserated with Salah following Egypt's elimination - but warned Mane to expect a gruelling challenge should Senegal draw the Netherlands

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has sent Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah a message after their epic clash during a World Cup qualifier pitting Senegal and Egypt.

The two African football heavyweights faced off in Dakar on Tuesday night, March 29, with Mane, once again, emerging on top.

Having suffered a 1-0 loss in the first leg of the playoff played in Cairo, Senegal needed nothing short of a win to increase their chances of earning a ticket for the 2022 edition of the World Cup.

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Senegal qualifies for the 2022 World Cup

The match was largely viewed as a Salah vs Mane clash, with the two Liverpool stars bidding to help their home country qualify.

However, it was Senegal who emerged winners after an epic shootout that saw Mane score the Lions of Teranga's winning penalty.

On his part, Salah had a trip to forget as he missed one of Egypt's spot-kick to cost his side a place in the World Cup.

Van Dijk sends Salah, Mane message

Van Dijk has now taken some time to reflect on the thrilling clash as he sent each of the two forwards a tailored message.

While the Dutchman commiserated with Salah, he had a fiery warning for Mane, asking the winger to brace himself for a gruelling challenge should Senegal draw The Netherlands at the global showpiece.

"I feel sorry for Mo and for Egypt, but football is sometimes like this," Metro UK quoted Van Dijk saying.

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"As for Sadio, I wish him all the best and if he is in our group, he is going to need that good luck," he added.

The best XI of top players not going to the 2022 World Cup

Earlier, Sports Brief Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland headline a long list of top footballers who will be watching the 2022 World Cup from home.

This is after their countries failed to qualify for the global football competition set for later this year in Qatar.

Man City's Riyad Mahrez, Chelsea's Jorginho and Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard are some of the other renowned names who will not make the Qatar trip.