Former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino discussed the relationship between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane at Anfield.
Mane had departed Liverpool back in 2022 following a successful spell, where he inspired the Reds to winning the Premier League and Champions League titles.
The Senegalese was also part of one of Europe’s most formidable attacks after forming a strong partnership with Salah and Firmino.
However, tension started growing with Salah in late 2019 as Mane appeared to be livid during an away league clash with Burnley.
READ: Anthony Modeste needs time, says Al Ahly boss Marcel Koller
The 31-year-old was furious during the game as he was in a promising position to score but Salah ignored the pass and opted to take a shot with his weaker foot instead.
“We were in the tunnel, heading back to the dressing room after a convincing 3–0 victory against Burnley,” Firmino said in his book.
“The atmosphere was obviously tense. Despite the good result, the game had been marked by a burst of fury from Sadio Mané when he was substituted in the final minutes.
“The cameras caught everything. Sadio wasn’t only angry about being subbed off: a little earlier Mohamed Salah had attempted a shot on goal when he had a clear pass on to Mané, who was free inside the box.
“Well, my English isn’t wonderful, so I can’t tell you exactly what Mané shouted when he came off. But it wasn’t anything nice!
“James Milner tried to calm him down, but Sadio remained furious, sitting fuming on the bench, gesturing repeatedly.
“I knew those guys very well, maybe better than anyone. It was me out there on the field, right in the middle of them.
“I saw first-hand the looks, the grimaces, the body language, the dissatisfaction when one was mad at the other. I could feel it.
“I was the link between them in our attacking play and the firefighter in those moments. For many, that disagreement between Sadio and Mo was the first; for some, the first and last.
“But I knew it had been brewing since the previous season, 2018–19. My instinct and my duty was to defuse the situation between them. Pour water on the fire – never petrol,” he added.