Mohamed Salah Opens Up About Friction with Sadio Mane During Liverpool Years

In a candid interview with L’Équipe, Mohamed Salah has broken his silence about the often-speculated friction between himself and his former teammate Sadio Mane during their time at Liverpool.

Despite forming one of the most lethal attacking trios in modern football alongside Roberto Firmino, Salah admitted there was underlying tension between him and Mane.

The dynamic partnership between Salah and Mane propelled Liverpool to major triumphs, including a Premier League title and a UEFA Champions League trophy.

However, Salah revealed that their bond was not as close off the pitch as it seemed on the field.

“Yes, there was tension with Sadio,” Salah said. “Mind you, we were professional until the end, I don’t think it affected the team. It’s human to want more, I understand that, he’s a competitor.”

Despite their competitive nature, Salah emphasized that respect remained at the heart of their relationship.

“Off the pitch, we weren’t very close, but we always respected each other,” he added.

The tension between the two players became more apparent during a 3-0 victory over Burnley in the 2019/20 Premier League campaign when Mane was visibly upset after being substituted.

The incident occurred after Salah chose to shoot instead of passing the ball to a better-positioned Mane, sparking frustration.

However, Salah reflected on the significance of their on-field partnership, which led to a combined 338 goals from the trio of Salah, Mane, and Firmino between 2017 and 2022.

Salah’s individual contribution of 156 goals was vital to Liverpool’s success during that period.

Though their relationship was not without its challenges, Salah and Mane’s professionalism ensured that their friction did not hinder Liverpool’s achievements.

Salah also recently committed his future to Liverpool by signing a two-year contract extension, quelling any rumors of a move to Saudi Arabia.