Image Credits: Imago Images
Two Liverpool icons are set to renew their rivalry this evening as Mohamed Salah’s Egypt face Sadio Mané’s Senegal in the AFCON 2025 semi-final at the Grand Stade de Tanger. The 5:00 PM GMT kick-off promises a blockbuster encounter between former Anfield teammates who combined for 223 matches together between 2017 and 2022.
Salah has been in scintillating form for the Pharaohs, netting four goals and providing one assist as Egypt chase a record-extending eighth continental title. However, the Liverpool forward faces a stubborn personal record against Senegal – he’s yet to score in five previous meetings with the Teranga Lions, recording just one win, one draw and three defeats.
There has been plenty of talk down the years on how the pair’s relationship was at Anfield, and whether it was indeed a bad one between two of the most influential African players of the last decade.
However, speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast back in November, Mane dismissed any talk of a long-term rift:
“Great player. Good player. Great player. Everybody say the same (that there was a rivalry), you know, usually,” he said when asked on Salah
“But it’s not… I don’t think it’s a bad thing.
“And me, I’m someone who is quiet, but I’m friendly with everybody in the team. I’m like this.
“So, I think Mo is also a very nice guy. He’s a nice guy. I think though, inside the pitch, you can see – sometimes he passes me, sometimes he doesn’t pass me; sometimes he passes me, sometimes he doesn’t pass me.”
“But, you know, only Bobby was there to share the ball. Sometimes like this…”
He also touched on the infamous clash at Turf Moor vs Burnley in 2019:
“And I still remember one game [vs Burnley] when I was really, really angry because he didn’t pass me, he should pass me.
“I was really, really angry after the game. And the next day, he came to me.
“He wants to talk to me, but he doesn’t know when, how to say. He still thinks I’m angry against him because we didn’t see each other, we went home.
“The next day he came to me. He said, “Can we talk?” I said, “OK, no problem, we go.”
“And he said, “You think I didn’t want to pass you? I didn’t score. Bobby scored.
“But even when I got the ball, I was not thinking or even seeing you to pass. I just got the ball.
“I want to shoot. But I have nothing against you. And honestly, if I could pass you and I saw you, I will do.”
“Me, I’m here. I can help you because I don’t have this problem. Me, I’ll help you more.”
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