Former Liverpool star Sadio Mane has provided a fascinating insight into his relationship with Mohamed Salah, revealing exactly how they resolved their notorious on-pitch disagreement during a Premier League match against Burnley.
The Infamous Burnley Clash
The incident that captured football fans' attention occurred during Liverpool's 3-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor in August 2019. Mane, who had already scored in the match, showed clear frustration when Salah chose to shoot rather than pass to his unmarked teammate. The Senegalese forward's anger was visible as he was substituted shortly after, gesturing animatedly towards the bench.
The situation became even more dramatic when a viral video showed Roberto Firmino smirking at the camera while walking between the two players after the final whistle. This moment has frequently been cited as evidence of ongoing tension between the attacking partners throughout their time together at Anfield.
Mane's Candid Revelation
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Mane dismissed suggestions of lasting bad blood with his former teammate. Instead, he revealed how the incident actually strengthened their bond.
"Great player. Good player. Great player. Everybody say the same, you know, usually," Mane stated. "But it's not... I don't think it's a bad thing."
The Senegalese international described how Salah approached him the day after the Burnley match to clear the air. "The next day he came to me. He said, 'Can we talk?' I said, 'OK, no problem, we go.'"
According to Mane, Salah explained that he hadn't deliberately ignored his teammate but was simply focused on scoring. "He said, 'You think I didn't want to pass you? I didn't score. Bobby scored. But even when I got the ball, I was not thinking or even seeing you to pass. I just got the ball. I want to shoot. But I have nothing against you.'"
Stronger Bonds After Conflict
Mane revealed that this honest conversation actually brought the two players closer together. "I think since this day we become even closer," he confessed, acknowledging that as strikers, both players had natural scoring instincts that sometimes overshadowed team play.
The former Liverpool star showed remarkable understanding of his teammate's perspective, noting: "As a striker, because Mo, usually when you see the ball, you don't see nobody. You don't see nobody. So for me, he didn't do it personally. He just want to score, score, score."
Mane even offered to help Salah achieve his personal goals, telling him: "'Mo, I can see you want to be more... I can help you a lot because I know you want to be top scorer. You want... I can. Me, I'm here. I can help you because I don't have this problem.'"
Special Praise for Firmino
While discussing his Liverpool relationships, Mane reserved particularly glowing praise for Roberto Firmino, describing the Brazilian as "exceptional" both as a player and as a person.
"Since I grew up, I never see a football player and human kind in my life as Bobby. Never," Mane enthused. "He's the only player in my life I have put in my house."
Mane highlighted Firmino's unique character, noting that unlike himself and Salah, the Brazilian never showed anger when not receiving passes. "He doesn't care. Me, you do this, I will be angry. That's for sure. Salah, you do... he will be angry. But Bobby, for me, he's more than a football player."
The legendary attacking trio of Mane, Salah and Firmino propelled Liverpool to remarkable success during their time together, securing the Champions League in 2019 followed by the Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup and European Super Cup in the 2019/20 season.
