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Sadio Mane will not play for Senegal in their friendly against England on Tuesday(Image: Baptiste Fernandez/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane asked to be left out of Senegal’s showpiece friendly against England after being targeted by critics and trolls over his recent performances for the African country.

Mane, 33, the winger who thrilled Anfield for six years playing in tandem with Mo Salah, was gutted to be singled out for widespread stick after the two World Cup qualifiers against Sudan and Togo in March.

His request to miss Friday night’s clash against the Republic of Ireland and the meeting with England at the City Ground in Nottingham on Tuesday night “for personal reasons” was reluctantly accepted by coach Pape Thiaw.

Mane, who plays alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, already faces an uncertain future at club level after being told by the Saudi Pro League club that he is free to find new employers this summer.

Senegal coach Thiaw said: “It is a personal decision that belongs to Mane - and I respect it as a coach.

Sadio is a very important player for us.

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“But I don’t coach one player, I coach 26 players, and so the most important thing is the collective.

But the two-time African Footballer of the Year now believes he is first in line to be criticised - despite becoming a national hero for his exploits on the pitch and his charity work off it.

Senegal’s squad includes Premier League stars like Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace, Tottenham’s Pape Sarr and Idrissa Gana Gueye of Everton.

Mane said: “A lot is said about me and I think I’m the most criticised player in Senegal.

“I don’t have a problem with it.

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