It was surprising seeing Sadio Mane, usually such a laid-back character, kick off on the bench in the matter he did v Burnley on Saturday.
Our no.10 was angry at Mo Salah for not passing to him with the game won at 3-0. The Egyptian wanted to get himself on the scoresheet, but on two occasions his attacking team-mates were in far better positions and would’ve scored if he simply got his head up and played a simple square ball.
Mane’s eruption wasn’t the biggest deal in the world, but naturally it brought media attention and plenty of absurd suggestions that there’s a rift between him and Salah.
There isn’t, as explained by James Pearce in The Athletic. The respected Liverpool journalist claimed that while Mane was in no mood to speak with reporters in the mixed zone – the situation between the forwards was cooled within minutes of their arrival into the dressing room.
Salah and Mane chatted cordially and there will be zero issue when the duo arrive back from international duty, with Liverpool’s squad harmony at an all-time high and very much still in-tact!
At EOTK, we’re glad there’s a friendly rivalry between the two. Every great attacker wants to score goals – bar perhaps Roberto Firmino who gets as much pleasure from winning the ball back and putting it on a plate for a team-mate…
Providing Liverpool are winning, and we currently are doing so with consummate ease, Jurgen Klopp has nothing to worry about.
(Read the entirety of Pearce’s article by signing up to The Athletic)