Mané and Salah, a duo that strengthened their friendship after an anger and now seek to make history with Liverpool

Between the hometown of Sadio Mané (Sedhiou, 1991) Y Mohammed Salah (Nagrig, 1992) there are more than seven kilometers apart, although every time they play together it seems that they are twins. They understand each other perfectly. One look is enough for each one to know what the other will do. A clear example of what happened this Wednesday at Anfield: at 54 ‘, the Senegalese passed the Egyptian from behind, who sensed the movement and assisted him for the 2-0 against Villarreal for the semi-final first leg of the Champions League. African connection to leave the Liverpool ahead of the return leg.

They were born in different countries, but Jürgen Klopp was the one who brought them together in the same city. In 2016 he signed Sadio from Southampton and a year later rescued Mo from Fiorentina. Unlike Mané who was constantly on the rise, Salah was looking to relaunch his career. Since then they have become a lethal duo, although, like any friendship, the story always had a complicated episode.

It all happened at the beginning of the 2019-20 season, months after both raised the long-awaited ‘Orejona’ with the ‘Reds’. In a match against Burnley, which ended in a 3-0 victory, Mané got upset with his teammate. The reason?

“Mo asked me why I was mad and I told him he should have passed me the ball. He told me: ‘I didn’t see you, you know I have nothing against you’ ”he recounted in an interview trying to minimize the situation, although on the pitch his anger was felt from miles away, even more so when Klopp decided to replace him at 85′ with Divock Origi.

The German coach did not let the episode pass between his two cracks and called the Senegalese to his office. “We fixed it between us, but even so the coach called me to his office and we talked. I told him that he was resolved and he was pleasantly surprised”. Of course, Sadio could not hide that he was surprised by the reaction that his partner had when they talked to settle what happened. “I know there is no problem, but his reaction was weird. Sometimes we talk and exchange messages”he says in the interview.

Despite the slight bump they had, Mo and Sadio have shown that they have forged such a strong bond that it was not broken even when they were rivals in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup playoffs, games that were won by Senegal. “I have a very sad part of me for Mohamed Salah. I wish we both had won the championship. I didn’t like the idea of ​​celebrating in front of one of my best friends.” said Mané after winning the Africa Cup.

Liverpool close to making history

Jurgen Klopp’s red machine is not only about to enter another Champions League final, but also has a concrete chance of doing something historic for an English club: winning the quadruple crown.

Liverpool already won the england league cup in February after beating Chelsea on penalties. That was his first title of the season, although he still has a chance to expand the showcase. In the premier league is fighting inch by inch with Manchester City. There are five dates left and the ‘Reds’ are only one point behind the ‘Citizens’.

Second, it is in the final of the FA Cup, where they will have to face Chelsea. The duel will be played on May 14 at Wembley. Finally, there is the chance to raise the seventh ‘Orejona’. After 2-0 at Anfield, Klopp’s men are closer than ever to the grand final on May 28 at the Stade de France. And, obviously, led by great friends, Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah.