Sadio Mané Has the Last Laugh as Liverpool Fans Make Same Point About Mohamed Salah

Liverpool Echo – In a poignant twist amid the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) drama, Sadio Mané has emerged victorious, fueling Liverpool fans' pointed reminders about Mohamed Salah's ongoing struggles. As Senegal clinched the AFCON title on Sunday, beating host nation Côte d'Ivoire 4-2 in extra time, Mané's decisive penalty in the shootout sealed his second continental triumph. The 32-year-old, who left Anfield for Bayern Munich in 2022 before joining Al-Nassr, celebrated wildly, drawing stark contrasts to Salah's Egypt, eliminated in the Round of 16 by DR Congo via penalties.

Fans flooded social media with memes and posts highlighting Mané's success against Salah's drought. One viral tweet read: "Mané wins AFCON again while Salah watches from home – who's the real king now?" Liverpool supporters, still smarting from Salah's contract saga and his absence from the tournament spotlight, noted Mané's trophy haul: two AFCONs (2021, 2024), Champions League, Premier League, and more during his six trophy-laden years at Liverpool (2016-2022). Salah, 32, remains without an AFCON despite multiple final appearances, his last in 2022.

The article delves into Liverpool's historical reliance on their Senegalese stars. Mané scored 120 goals in 269 appearances, pivotal in the 2019 Champions League and 2020 Premier League triumphs. Salah, with 232 goals, is the club's record scorer, but fans argue Mané's team ethic and big-game mentality set him apart. Current Reds midfielder Wataru Endo echoed this, praising Mané's humility post-match.

As Liverpool chase domestic glory under Arne Slot, the AFCON outcome reignites debates: has Salah's individualism overshadowed collective success? Mané's "last laugh" underscores his enduring legacy, leaving Anfield faithful reflective.

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