Liverpool’s former attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino was once hailed as one of football’s most lethal frontlines. But Salah has now acknowledged that there were underlying tensions behind the scenes.
Speaking to L’Équipe, Salah addressed long-standing rumors about a strained relationship with Mane.
“There was tension between us,” the 32-year-old admitted. “But we stayed professional, and it never impacted the team’s performance. It’s only natural—he’s a fierce competitor, and I understand that.”
Despite the friction, Salah emphasized that respect always existed between them, even if they weren’t close personally:
“Off the field, we weren’t particularly close friends, but we always maintained mutual respect.”
Interestingly, Mane’s connection to Liverpool continued even after his departure, with Ryan Gravenberch revealing that Mane encouraged his move to the club in 2023.
Salah also responded to criticism over being perceived as selfish during matches. He refuted those claims by pointing to a key stat:
“I don’t care what people say. They can believe what they want. But for the record, I was the player who assisted Mane the most—18 times.”
He suggested critics should look at the facts rather than jump to conclusions for sensational headlines.
Despite any differences, Salah and Mane’s partnership on the pitch brought great success to Liverpool—and though they’ve gone their separate ways, both are still thriving in their respective leagues
