Salah Discusses His Challenging Relationship With Mane During Their Time At Liverpool

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Liverpool's Mohamed Salah has opened up about his challenging off-field relationship with former teammate Sadio Mane. Despite their on-field success, Salah and Mane did not share a close bond away from football. Both players were instrumental in Jurgen Klopp's successful Liverpool team, contributing significantly to the club's achievements.

During their time at Liverpool, Salah and Mane were pivotal in securing Premier League and Champions League titles. Mane joined the club from Southampton in 2016, scoring 120 goals and providing 37 assists in 269 appearances. Salah arrived a year later and has been involved in 354 goals for the Reds, making him the third-highest scorer in the club's history.

Salah acknowledged that there was tension between him and Mane but emphasized their professionalism. "Yes, there was tension with Sadio," Salah told FranceFootball. "Mind you, we were professional until the end; I don't think it affected the team." He noted that while they weren't close off the pitch, they maintained mutual respect.

The Egyptian forward highlighted his role in assisting Mane during matches. "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." Salah assisted Mane 17 times in all competitions, matching Roberto Firmino's record during Mane's tenure at Liverpool.

While Salah continues to shine at Liverpool, contributing to 46 Premier League goals this season, just one short of the single-season record, Mane has taken a different path. He now plays alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Mane also contributed to Salah's success by setting him up for goals on 12 occasions. Their partnership on the field was effective despite their lack of closeness off it. The duo's ability to work together professionally was evident through their combined efforts for Liverpool.

Their story highlights how professional athletes can maintain successful partnerships even without personal friendships. Both players have moved on to new challenges but remain respected figures in football for their contributions to Liverpool's success.