Mohamed Salah will continue his bid to final lead Egypt to glory at the Africa Cup of Nations - and the Liverpool ace with face former team-mate turned adversary Sadio Mane in the last four
Mo Salah has been undone by Sadio Mane on the international stage on more than one occasion
Mo Salah has been undone by Sadio Mane on the international stage on more than one occasion(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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If you believe the man closest to Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, he'll tell you they were "never best friends" and it was rare to see them speaking.
Roberto Firmino formed the third part of Liverpool's fearsome forward trio, often being the lesser headlined member as Mane and Salah grabbed the glory. Both men claimed the Premier League's Golden Boot, but amid their need to work in tandem there has been a battle for continental glory.
It will reignite this Wednesday with Egypt facing Senegal, once again, in the Africa Cup of Nations. Mane has been able to enjoy the bragging rights on the international stage. Whilst their clubs exploits were always shared, their international careers have contrasted.
And perhaps that rivalry, which only lit once they put on their country's colours, is why they could never shake the fact they were up against each other.
Firmino said in his autobiography, Si Señor: “I knew these guys better than anyone. They were never best friends. The three of us had very different personalities, Mané the most explosive, my role [was] as peacemaker, unifier. It was rare to see the two of them talking. But they never severed ties, always acted with the utmost professionalism.”
That doesn't mean tensions didn't boil over. Salah has always been credited with that selfish streak every elite forward needs. Mane, which is perhaps is greatest quality, didn't have that and his work rate sat alongside his individual brilliance. And it was those differing approaches that made them elite but also led to clashes.
On one famous outburst at Turf Moor, Salah chose not to pass to Mane, scuffing his shot, and the Senegal star didn't let it go. When subbed off he let rip at the bench, likely telling Jurgen Klopp how he felt, with his emotional outburst undoubtedly owing itself to his team-mate's selfishness.
Sadio Mane and Mo Salah's relationship wasn't without its flashpoints
Sadio Mane and Mo Salah's relationship wasn't without its flashpoints(Image: Paul Currie/BPI/REX)
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But whilst Salah's goal output far outweighs Mane's, the forward will be able to leave behind a legacy of success with his country. Salah is yet to have that. Mane is at his sixth AFCON, Salah his fifth, and in that period the 33-year-old pair have played in two finals each. The year they met each other was five years ago.
Billed simply as Mane vs Salah, the former had a penalty saved in ordinary time but responded to convert the last Senegal spot kick in a shoot-out that delivered his country’s maiden AFCON success.
Lightning was to strike twice as only a month later Salah missed a spot-kick in a two-legged qualifier for the World Cup. Mane would again be the man to step up for the decisive penalty, scoring to send Senegal to Qatar and leave Salah watching the tournament from afar.
The Liverpool ace fell short against Senegal five years ago
The Liverpool ace fell short against Senegal five years ago(Image: Getty Images)
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The fire burns within - brightly. Egypt have been African champions a record seven times but never during the Salah era - and he made it clear just how much he wants to get over the line.
“Nobody wants this title as much as I do,” Salah said after Saturday’s 3-2 win against Ivory Coast had put Egypt into the last four. “Thankfully, I have won every title apart from this. But that doesn’t help. I’ve carried the pressure for a long time.”
During his time at Liverpool he helped banish their league title demons - ending 30 years of pain. He helped end Jurgen Klopp's demons - scoring the opener in the Champions League final, ending a run of six final losses in a row for the German.
Now he needs to address his very own demons. This may only be for a place in the final, where it'll be either Nigeria or Morocco waiting, but Mane is a hurdle Salah has yet to overcome.
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