A long-standing curiosity around Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah’s on-field dynamic has resurfaced, and Mané has now given a detailed explanation of what really happened between the two during their time together at Liverpool. Alongside Roberto Firmino, the pair formed one of the Premier League’s most devastating attacking trios, but their fierce desire to win sometimes led to heated moments.
One of the most memorable came in August 2019 at Turf Moor. Liverpool defeated Burnley thanks to goals from Chris Wood (own goal), Mané, and Firmino — but the victory became overshadowed by Mané’s emotional reaction after being substituted. His frustration stemmed from a moment earlier in the match when Salah opted not to pass to him in a promising attack.
Mané Reflects on His Partnership With Salah
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Mané opened up about their personalities and the competitive edge they both carried:
> “He’s a fantastic player. People always talk about this rivalry, but for me it wasn’t a bad thing. I’m quiet by nature and get along with everyone.”
Mané then pointed out that Salah sometimes released the ball early — and sometimes didn’t:
> “Mo is a good guy. On the pitch, sometimes he passes, sometimes he doesn’t. That’s normal. Only Bobby shared the ball all the time! It happens.”
The Burnley Incident: What Actually Happened
Mané didn’t shy away from discussing that fiery day at Turf Moor. He admitted he was furious in the moment:
> “I still remember that game. I was really angry because he should’ve passed. I even watched the match afterwards — your face was incredible! That’s why the emotions came out.”
The following day, Salah approached him to settle things:
> “He came to me wanting to talk. He said, ‘You think I didn’t want to pass? I just got the ball and wanted to shoot — not because of anything against you.’
I told him, ‘It’s fine, but with your quality, you could’ve given me the ball more.’”
After that conversation, Mané said their relationship actually improved:
> “From that day we became even closer. He never did it on purpose — he just always wants to score. That’s who he is.”
A Duo That Delivered Glory
Despite occasional tension, their partnership on the pitch was extraordinary. During Liverpool’s title-winning 2019/20 season, both players produced elite numbers:
Mané: 18 goals, 9 assists
Salah: 19 goals, 10 assists
Together, they powered Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years, as well as Champions League, Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup triumphs.
Mané added that he often encouraged Salah during their time together:
> “I knew he wanted to be top scorer. I told him, ‘I can help you. I don’t care about that — I’ll give you the ball.’”
Klopp’s View: No Rivalry, Just Two Winners
Jürgen Klopp addressed the public perception of a feud back in April 2022, firmly rejecting the idea that the two were at odds:
> “There’s no question — they’re close. They’re good people and good teammates. Even best friends argue when emotions run high.”
He noted that attackers sometimes make the wrong decision in the heat of the moment, but insisted it was not personal.
End of an Era
Mané joined Liverpool from Southampton in 2016, followed by Salah from Roma in 2017. Under Klopp, the pair became two of the most influential players of the modern Liverpool era. Mané eventually departed in 2022 for Bayern Munich, where injuries disrupted his form, but his legacy at Anfield — especially his partnership with Salah — remains unquestioned.
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