Former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino has disclosed the nature of the relationship that existed between two African players, Mohamed and Sadio Mané while both were at Liverpool. The Al Ahli forward disclosed to the Guardian that the relationship of both was not as resplendent as many had anticipated.
“They were never best friends; each kept himself to himself. It was rare to see the two of them talking, and I’m not sure if that had to do with the Egypt–Senegal rivalry in African competitions. I truly don’t know. But they also never stopped talking, never severed ties. They always acted with the utmost professionalism.”
Both joined Liverpool after German manager, Jürgen Klopp signed for Liverpool in 2016 and has been tipped to be one of the best players from the continent of Africa to ever play in the Premier League.
While Salah still plies his trademark with Liverpool, Sadio left the club last year to join Bayern Munich, with his inability to replicate his Liverpool form and injury crisis, the Senegalese left Bayern this summer to join Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
Although there was an observable rivalry between both while playing for Liverpool and that lingered to when both met at the 2022 African Cup of Nations final, where Mohamed Salah’s Egypt lost to Senegal via a penalty shoot-out.
Together, they piloted Liverpool to its first Premier League title after 30 years and first UEFA Champions League after 15 years.
Before Sadio Mané’s departure, he made 269 appearances for Liverpool, in which he scored 120 goals and registered 48 assists.
Salah, who still actively plays for the English side, is regarded as one of the greatest players of the club. He has currently been capped 320 times for the Reds. He has scored 196 goals with 83 assists to his name.
