Mo Salah’s Egypt come up against Sadio Mane and Senegal in the semi-final of the African Cup of Nations.
It’s sure to be a blockbuster clash between two Liverpool legends who spearheaded some of the best seasons in recent Anfield history.
Mane left Liverpool in 2022 after six seasons under Jurgen Klopp, forming a deadly duo with Salah and winning every trophy.
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This game is massive whatever way you look at it, but the contentious nature of their relationship raises the stakes.
Bad blood between Mo Salah and Sadio Mane
The African duo were brilliant together on the pitch. Off the pitch, though, the two didn’t get on so well.
Roberto Firmino said the two were never great friends, and there have been plenty of instances where they clashed.
Salah and Mane’s relationship deteriorated at Liverpool due to the latter feeling overshadowed by the former’s crazy goalscoring numbers.
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“Liverpool was like home, it was my comfort zone. So, I thought let’s try something because I have won almost everything here.”
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Even since parting ways, Salah has made comments about Mane that don’t point to the two being any closer now.
Salah is the star of this Egypt side, but he has never won the tournament. Mane is surely keen to keep it that way considering it’s a rare instance in which he is ahead of his old teammate.
That match is on Wednesday evening, and it’s not one to miss.
Mo Salah hasn’t taken to his new Liverpool teammates much better
Without being in the dressing room, it’s difficult to say who was more to blame for the souring of Salah and Mane’s relationship.
One thing we can say is that Salah doesn’t seem too fond of the new summer arrivals either.
It could be that he is now the one feeling threatened by a new generation of stars, but he is also within his rights to question why they get in the team ahead of him given all that he has achieved.
It would be great if Salah comes back from AFCON refreshed and happy, so he can kick on for the rest of the season in harmony with the rest of the team.
Hopefully his return is later rather than sooner and as a winner — that could come down to how badly Mane wants the last laugh.
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