Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk has backed his teammate Mohamed Salah to bounce again strongly from Egypt’s disappointing World Cup playoff exit in opposition to Senegal on Tuesday. The Dutchman believes Salah would flip the frustration into success, as he has rather a lot to play for within the ongoing 2021-22 marketing campaign.
Salah’s Egypt have been overwhelmed by Sadio Mane’s Senegal of their FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff on Tuesday. Regardless of a 1-0 win within the first leg, the Egyptians failed to carry agency within the return leg, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat.
With the mixture scores remanining 1-1 after additional time, the sport went into penalties, the place Salah uncharacteristically did not convert from the spot. Zizo and Mostafa Mohamed additionally did not convert their spot-kicks for Egypt, permitting Senegal captain Sadio Mane to attain the successful penalty.
Van Dijk, who was in motion in opposition to Germany through the shootout, was unaware of his Liverpool teammate’s elimination. After being knowledgeable about Egypt’s loss, the Dutch defender commented (by way of Mirror):
“Effectively clearly, I really feel sorry for Mo and for Egypt, however soccer is typically like this. I’m certain he’ll flip the frustration into success for the remainder of the season. We nonetheless have all the things to play for, so there may be lots of issues nonetheless to attain for him.”
Van Dijk went on to congratulate his different teammate Mane, including:
“As for Sadio, I want him all the very best, and if he’s in our group, he’s going to wish that good luck!”
With the worldwide escape of the best way, Liverpool will return to Premier League motion with a conflict in opposition to Watford on Saturday.
Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah bathed in laser gentle earlier than essential penalty kick
On Tuesday, Salah endured one of many worst nights of his profession. Taking the primary spot-kick in opposition to Senegal, the 29-year-old skied his effort over the bar, immediately giving the hosts the sting.
Given his big-match expertise, the Egyptian ought to have executed rather a lot higher. Nevertheless, earlier than pinning the blame on the ahead, one should additionally be aware of the distraction the Senegalese followers brought on. Quite a few inexperienced laser pointers have been shone on the Liverpool star the second he stepped as much as take his spot kick.
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He tried to maintain his cool and proceeded along with his run-up however ended up lacking his alternative. Salah was visibly distraught after the shootout, and he has each proper to really feel arduous executed by Tuesday evening’s occasions.
