MOHAMED SALAH has admitted that there was “tension” between himself and Sadio Mane at Liverpool.
Salah and Mane struck up a fearsome partnership for The Reds between 2017 and 2022, winning the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup with the club.
The pair played together 223 times, combining for 35 goals as they enjoyed plenty of individual success under former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
But despite their reputation and impressive record, there has always been speculation about a fractured relationship between the two wingers.
And Salah, 32, has now admitted that there was tension between them both, but claimed that things were always approached professionally.
In an interview with L’Equipe, Salah revealed: “Yes, there was tension with Sadio.
“Mind you, we were professional until the end, I don’t think it affected the team. It’s human to want more, I understand that, he’s a competitor.
“Off the pitch, we weren’t very close, but we always respected each other.”
Salah was also quizzed about claims that Mane felt he was “selfish” that emerged in a book published last year, but the Egyptian star was quick to play down the rumours.
He added: “I don’t care. People can think what they want, it’s their right.
“But I invite everyone to note that the person who provided Mane with the most assists is me.
“We can look at the facts, but it’s obviously easier to throw out phrases like that; it makes the headlines, I know how it works.
“As long as it remains within the limits of respect, that’s fine with me.
“But that doesn’t mean that this opinion is true. At the end of the day, I know what I did, and my conscience is clear.”
Salah and Mane did have one very public disagreement when they broke into an argument on the pitch during a 3-0 win over Burnley in 2019.
At the time, Mane told Canal Plus: “He said to me ‘Sadio, why are you angry?’
“I told him ‘You needed to give me the ball, Mo’, to which he replied ‘I didn’t see you. You know I’ve got nothing against you’.
“I know that, but his reaction was a bit strange to me.”
Mane would ultimately leave Liverpool in 2022, swapping Anfield for the Allianz in a switch to German giants Bayern Munich.
But that move didn’t work out, with a poor first season for the Bavarians meaning Mane was moved on to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr the following summer – where he still plays today.
While Salah has remained on Merseyside, earning himself a new two-year deal with Liverpool after putting up an astonishing 46 goal contributions in 35 Premier League games this season.
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