Netherlands star Virgil van Dijk stated he was unhappy to be taught that former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane would miss the World Cup as a consequence of damage, even when it should enhance Dutch hopes. The defender was as a consequence of come up towards Mane when the Netherlands face Senegal of their opening Group A match on Monday however the Bayern Munich ahead is out of the event after struggling a leg damage enjoying for his membership. “I called him the next day and obviously I wanted to know how he was,” Van Dijk stated at his staff’s pre-match press convention in Doha.

“There were so many rumours coming out. As a friend I wanted to know how he was. It wasn’t the best news he has had and unfortunately he won’t be able to make this tournament.”

Van Dijk and Mane performed collectively at Southampton earlier than being reunited at Anfield, successful the Premier League title and the Champions League collectively beneath Jurgen Klopp.

Mane left Liverpool earlier this 12 months for a contemporary begin at Bayern.

“I feel sad for him,” Van Dijk added. “I know how hard he worked for this and he has been important for Senegal so he is going to be a big miss for them.

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“But hopefully we will profit a bit from that as properly.”

Monday’s match at the Al Thumama Stadium in the Qatari capital marks the Netherlands’ return to the World Cup after they failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament in Russia.

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal, who is back in charge after taking the team to third place in 2014, pointed out that his side are also handicapped by the absence of Memphis Depay.

The Barcelona forward, 28, who has scored 42 goals in 81 games for his country, including 12 in qualifying for the Qatar World Cup, has not played since September.

“This is the match that units the tone for the remainder of the event and Senegal are the African champions so they don’t seem to be simply any previous opponent,” said Van Gaal.

“I feel that Mane is a rare participant. I needed him at Manchester United, when he was nonetheless at Southampton, so I’m a fan of Mane.

“He can break open a match and I would say that Senegal will really miss him, but the same applies to us. We will really miss our top scorer.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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