Salif Diao is confident Liverpool will reap the benefit of his World Cup experience as he now sets his sights on winning trophies at Anfield.
Diao returned to Senegal's starting line-up on Saturday after serving a two-game ban, but was unable to prevent the Lions of Teranga crashing out of the quarter-finals to Turkey.
Senegal had football history in the palm of their hand but were unable to seize the chance of becoming the first African nation to reach the last four.
Besiktas striker Ilhan Mansiz scored Turkey's golden goal just 190 seconds into extra time to set up a semi-final showdown with four-times champions Brazil in Saitama on Wednesday.
Senegal's players can at least look forward to a hero's welcome upon their return for they have exceeded all expectations, while bringing a great deal of attention to African football again, just as Cameroon did at Italia '90.
For Diao, following a holiday with his family, he hopes to join Senegal team-mate El Hadji Diouf at Liverpool for pre-season training, although he still remains in the dark as to his immediate future.
The 25-year-old, a £5million capture from Sedan, signed a five-year contract before the World Cup started, but the French club are looking to retain his services up until Christmas.
Liverpool do have the option of recalling him at any time should they struggle with injuries, which is a little disconcerting for Diao, although he is refusing to let it dampen his spirit.
"For all the Senegal players, this was our first big competition and we had to work hard in a lot of big games," said midfielder Diao.
"But we have learned a lot and the things we have learned from our defeat to Turkey we can use in the next World Cup.
"I know I have learned a lot and I feel it will help me when I move to Liverpool. I am really excited about going there.
"Playing in England and against all the big clubs is something I've always dreamed about, and now the time is arriving.
"I know I will have to give my best there, and I will, and hopefully I will win a lot of things with the Liverpool team."
Diao reckons during the next four years the gap between the so-called minnows and the game's major powers will continue to diminish, and he sees no reason why a team from Africa cannot win the World Cup in Germany in 2006.
"Although we are out, we have to stay positive. We have been strong throughout the tournament and we have shown all the people a team has been born," added Diao.
"When some of the players move on to bigger teams, like myself going to Liverpool, then we will come back with more experience and we will be ready for the next World Cup.
"Football is going to change a lot. Look at Korea and ourselves. There's not such a big difference now between the big teams and the smaller teams.
"If you look at some of the matches, it's just the little things which can make a difference. Against Turkey, their experience was the key and that is what we must build up."
Senegal coach Bruno Metsu, meanwhile, is being urged to stay and continue the work which has brought him considerable recognition, and two offers from other football associations.
In Metsu's two years in charge he has taken Senegal to the final of the African Cup of Nations - where they lost to Cameroon on penalties - and now the quarter-final of the World Cup.
A concerned Diao said: "I don't know what will happen with him (Metsu). I hope he stays because we like him a lot and he likes us, but we will have to see what happens."
Team-mate Ferdinand Coly was more optimistic, not only concerning Metsu but also that of the prospects for Senegal, as he added: "I think he will stay.
"He has done a good job in his two years in charge. He has given us a good team, and with all the players playing abroad, we can see the results.
"We've given a good account of ourselves at what is our first World Cup. To play in a quarter-final is fantastic for this little country, and when we go back to Senegal it will be a great moment.
"Overall it has been a great victory for African football. It's only the second time a team from Africa has been to the quarter-final, and we gave our best to reach the semi. I now hope in four years' time a team from Africa can win the World Cup."