Sadio Mane reveals the truth behind his Liverpool ‘rivalry’ with Mo Salah | OneFootball

Mane, Salah and Liverpool’s Competitive Edge

Sadio Mane has offered one of his most detailed reflections yet on his relationship with Mo Salah, opening up about the famous Burnley incident of 2019 and the wider dynamics inside Liverpool’s forward line. Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the Senegalese international dismissed long standing narratives about friction, instead framing their partnership as a product of elite competitiveness.

He acknowledged that many observers “usually say the same” about supposed rivalry, but he stressed that the edge between the pair came from ambition, not hostility. “[Salah is a] great player. Good player. Great player,” Mane said, adding that instinct often guides attacking decisions in real time, sometimes clouding the split second choices supporters pore over afterwards. Salah himself had previously highlighted to L’Equipe that “the player who provided the most assists to Mane was me”, underscoring how exaggerated the storyline has become over the years.

Competitive Characters Who Drove Liverpool Forward

Mane described himself as “quiet” and “friendly with everybody”, although he made it clear that forwards are wired to see the goal first. He noted that Salah “sometimes passes to me, sometimes he doesn’t”, before joking that Roberto Firmino was “the only one there to share the ball”. Across their time together, that dynamic was a feature rather than a flaw, precisely because it fuelled Liverpool’s relentless attacking output under Jurgen Klopp.

Their connection extended beyond the pitch. Mane’s pride in Liverpool’s standards has influenced others too, something Ryan Gravenberch recently referenced when revealing how Mane spoke glowingly about the club before his own move to Anfield.

Revisiting Burnley and the Turning Point

Naturally, the flashpoint at Turf Moor resurfaced. Mane admitted he was “really, really angry” at the time, believing Salah “should pass to me”. Yet what happened afterwards defined their relationship more than the outburst itself. Salah later sought him out, explaining: “I didn’t see you to pass. I just got the ball, I want to shoot.” That honesty reset everything. “Since this day we have become even closer,” Mane revealed.

Legacy of a Devastating Duo

Between them, Mane and Salah produced 30 combined goals in all competitions and headlined one of Liverpool’s most devastating forward lines. Their synergy helped deliver Champions League and Premier League glory, shaping an era still celebrated across Anfield. Mane’s reflections only reinforce how mutual respect, not rivalry, powered their success and deepened a bond many people misread from afar.