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Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino(Image: 2020 Getty Images)

Roberto Firmino has recalled how he could "feel" the tension between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane as it was his job to "pour water on the fire" of any brewing disagreements between the pair at Liverpool.

The trio formed one of the most remarkable forward lines in Anfield history between 2017 and 2022 to help the Reds win the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and several other honours.

But despite the resounding success of Jurgen Klopp's side, Salah revealed in an interview with Le Equipe this week that he endured a tense relationship with Mane at Anfield.

“Yes, there was tension with Sadio.

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

Three years on from Mane's Anfield exit, Salah's comments come as no surprise after the public confrontation between the pair during Liverpool's victory over Burnley in August 2019.

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The Reds travelled to Turf Moor in the fourth game of the 2019/20 season and, having already defeated Norwich City, Southampton and Arsenal, Klopp's men were looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.

However, after goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Roberto Firmino and Salah had the Reds on course for all three points in Lancashire, Mane let his emotions get the better of him when he was substituted by Klopp in the 85th minute.

The Senegal international cut an emotional and animated figure as he headed for the away dugout and had to be calmed down by vice-captain James Milner and Firmino, with the forward seemingly frustrated at Salah's decision not to pass to him minutes earlier.

When speaking to reporters after the game, Klopp, whose side had just moved top of the Premier League, was keen to play down the severity of Mane's outburst and insisted the incident had been addressed quickly and "everything is fine".

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Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield on April 27, 2025 (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

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But when detailing Salah and Mane's relationship in his book in November 2023, Firmino, who played over 300 games for the Reds, admitted tensions between the pair had been brewing since the 2018-19 season, when Liverpool won the Champions League.

Recalling the incident at Turf Moor, the Brazilian said: "The cameras caught everything.

Sadio wasn’t only angry about being subbed off: a little earlier Mohamed Salah had attempted a shot on goal when he had a clear pass on to Mane, who was free inside the box.

"Well, my English isn’t wonderful, so I can’t tell you exactly what Mané shouted when he came off.

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