AFCON: van Dijk wishes Salah and Mane success in Cameroon
Both Mane and Salah were on target for the Reds against Chelsea
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk is not prepared to dwell on the disappointment of losing Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita to the Africa Cup of Nations and instead wants the Liverpool trio to "make history" with their countries.
The Reds have now bid farewell to their African contingent - besides Joel Matip - as they jet off to meet up with their national teams in Cameroon.
Their importance to this Liverpool side was clear for all to see at Stamford Bridge.
Both Mane and Salah were on target for the Reds in the first half before goals from Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic levelled things up before the break.
It was a whirlwind contest that really could have gone either way in the second half but a point was the fair result come to the full-time whistle.
Liverpool are now 11 points adrift of league leaders Chelsea but can cut the gap to nine if they win their game in hand.
And while Liverpool will sorely miss their departing AFCON stars, Van Dijk has made it clear they have the full support of Kirkby behind them.
"First game of 2022 and it was an intense one. Points shared tonight," he posted on Insta.
"We will keep going. Good luck to our African players at AFCON, make us proud!"
Van Dijk's message was also echoed by Pep Lijnders, who says the players depart with the blessing of Jurgen Klopp and his staff.
