I Played with Mane and Salah at Liverpool - This is What They Really Thought About Each Other

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, Liverpool's legendary forwards, are set to reunite in the AFCON semi-finals, reigniting their storied rivalry from Anfield days. As Egypt and Senegal clash in Morocco, their past tensions and mutual respect come under the spotlight[1].

During their time at Liverpool, Salah and Mane shared a productive on-pitch partnership despite occasional friction. A infamous moment came in a 3-0 win over Burnley in the 2019-20 season, when Mane confronted Salah over perceived selfishness, ranting even after being substituted by Jurgen Klopp[1]. Yet, former teammate Roberto Firmino noted they "never severed ties" and maintained "utmost professionalism," though he pondered if an underlying Egypt-Senegal rivalry fueled their off-field distance, as hinted in his book[1].

Mane's triumphs over Salah add layers to their dynamic. He scored the decisive penalty in Senegal's AFCON final shootout win against Egypt in Cameroon and later in World Cup qualifiers, but consoled Salah afterward—a gesture aligning with Salah's view that they were never "very close" but "always respected each other"[1].

Salah, absent from Liverpool amid struggles without him, is fully committed to AFCON, calling it the "best camp" he's experienced. "The players are close, we like each other, hang out together and laugh together," he said post-win over Ivory Coast[1]. Mane, now in Saudi Arabia, has reflected on their competitive edge in interviews, like with Rio Ferdinand, discussing how it sometimes boiled over and nearly joining Manchester United before Klopp intervened[2].

Despite club vs. country pressures—Mane noting Senegal's intense national fervor—their story blends rivalry, respect, and African pride, captivating fans as they vie for glory[1].

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