Sunday night’s AFCON final between Senegal and Egypt was a win-win for Liverpool. Either way one of their African superstars would be returning with the trophy.
Unfortunately, that also meant that one of The Reds’ famous forwards would be coming home empty-handed. Worse still, it would mean having fallen at the last hurdle at the hands of their clubmate.
As it turned out it was Mohamed Salah who was left to wonder what might have been.
Mane hails the Egyptian King
There was a nice moment between the Liverpool pair on the pitch at the end of the game.
Mane has now shared what he said to Salah during those moments.
“I told him that he remains a very great player and it’s a pleasure to play for the same club,” Mane is reported to have told beIN Sports live as transcribed by The Metro.
“I have so much respect for him and he gave everything for his country. Unfortunately, he didn’t win, but that doesn’t mean it’s over for him,” continued the Senegalese.
“I also told him that he still has many things to win, including the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. They have a young team so maybe they will win it one day.”
Good news for Liverpool
To hear Mane speaking so highly of his defeated teammate will be music to the ears of Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool fans everywhere.
There has occasionally felt to be tension between the pair. This appeared to rear its head early on in Sunday’s final when Mane prepared to take a fifth minute penalty for Senegal.
Before the penalty, Salah could be seen in conversation with Gabaski. The 29-year-old was covering his mouth. But given the circumstances it seemed safe to assume that he was giving his countryman tips on where Mane likes to place his penalties.
Mane approached the pair and appeared to gesture to the goalkeeper exactly where he would be placing the penalty.
Gabaski went on to save the spot-kick. At the time it felt like as though the incident might drive a wedge between Mane and Salah.
Had Salah’s Egypt gone on to win in the shootout, it’s possible that it may have done. But given that Senegal ran out as winners and Mane’s subsequent praise of his Liverpool teammate, it seems as though the respect between the pair will be even greater as a result.
That’s brilliant news for Liverpool.
Focus back on Liverpool
Mane’s comments suggest that he is ready to work even harder to make sure his Egyptian teammate is rewarded with some silverware this season.
For Salah’s part he is a winner. It was a desire to prove to Chelsea that they were wrong to discard him that drove him to achieve what he initially did with Liverpool.
You can bet that he will be determined to put this loss behind him and inspire Klopp’s team to success this season.
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