During their celebrated years at Liverpool, two of Africa's finest football stars, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, faced ongoing speculation about a less-than-perfect relationship. This tension surfaced most prominently during the 2019/20 Premier League-winning season. In a match against Burnley, frustrations flared when Mane missed a crucial scoring chance, leading to visible discord between the two forwards.
It’s widely believed that these unresolved tensions played a part in Mane’s decision to leave Liverpool, despite his remarkable contributions to the team’s success on the field.
The strained dynamic was recently confirmed by Mohamed Salah in an interview with the French publication, L'Équipe. He candidly reflected on the pair’s relationship.
“Yes, there were conflicts with Sadio. We remained professional until the end, and I don’t think it affected the team. He’s someone who always aspires for more, and I saw him as a competitor,” Salah shared.
Addressing claims about selfishness, Salah dismissed the criticisms emphatically. He pointed to data showcasing his role in setting up Mane for many goals, proving he was instrumental in their partnership.
“I don’t care about it. People are free to think whatever they want; it’s their right. But I invite everyone to look at the numbers—I was the player who gave Mane the most assists for his goals,” Salah declared with confidence.
Over their years together at Liverpool, Salah and Mane were involved in an astounding 296 goals, forming a lethal duo that drove the club to historic victories. Their contributions were crucial in earning Liverpool major trophies, including one Premier League championship and one UEFA Champions League triumph.