Mohamed Salah reveals what he really thinks of Sadio Mane after admitting to ‘tension’ between Liverpool legends

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Liverpool’s legendary team of the Jurgen Klopp years is set to lose another member this summer as Trent Alexander-Arnold departs.

The right-back’s exit means only four of the Reds’ starting line-up from the victorious Champions League final in 2019 now remain.

Ultimately, Liverpool supporters have become used to saying goodbye to a storied player – or manager – every summer since 2021.

One of the most difficult farewells to stomach was that of Sadio Mane, who left for Bayern Munich after spearheading Liverpool’s push for a quadruple in 2022.

Mane has since gone on to fade from the general footballing consciousness, failing to make an impact at Bayern before moving on to Al Nassr, where he still plays.

In Mane’s absence, former strike partner Mohamed Salah has continued to go from strength to strength at Liverpool, more or less ending any debate over which of the pair was the better player. At times, it appeared Mane was not happy about being on the wrong side of that argument, and according to Salah, that was definitely the case.

Mohamed Salah opens up on Sadio Mane tension

Salah and Mane’s frosty relationship has been the subject of much discussion over the years.

Despite initially seeming like a dynamic duo on and off the pitch, it soon became apparent that the two Liverpool legends were not the best friends they had appeared to be.

And in a new interview with France Football, Salah has admitted that there had been ‘tension’ with Mane while they were both at Anfield.

“Yes, there was tension with Sadio,” said the Egyptian. “Mind you, we were professional until the end; I don’t think it affected the team.

READ MORE: Where Virgil van Dijk finished in the FWA Footballer of the Year vote as Mohamed Salah makes history with Liverpool

“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 also responded to claims that he had been viewed as ‘selfish’ during the early parts of his Liverpool career.

“I don’t care,” he answered. “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 begins Ballon d’Or charge

Salah’s decision to do an interview with France Football – the outlet who host the Ballon d’Or – may be seen as the first step in his campaign to win the biggest individual award in world football.

The 32-year-old still has a shot at taking home the trophy in 2025 after never finishing higher than fifth in the past.

Ironically, Mane has placed above Salah twice. The Senegalese finished fourth – one place above his former Liverpool teammate – in 2019 and second in 2022.

Now playing out his career in Saudi Arabia, Mane’s Ballon d’Or hopes have long-since ended. But Salah’s are alive and kicking.

In the meantime, it will be interesting to see if Mane responds in any way to these latest claims.