Jurgen Klopp called Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane "forces of nature," and that's the perfect description of their five seasons together at Liverpool.
They won five major trophies during that time, including the club's long-awaited Premier League title in the 2019-20 season. Together with Roberto Firmino, they formed one of the most formidable frontlines in English football history.
Salah admitted that he and Mane didn't always see eye to eye, though. There was "tension" between the pair, but they remained professional "until the end!".
The frosty relationship may have played a role in Salah's decision to omit Mane from his dream five-a-side team. However, he suggested it was down to who was more likely to assist him.
Salah Left Mane Out Of Five-A-Side Team
The Liverpool hero was stuck on two forwards
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Salah and Mane's time together at Anfield was a joy to watch as they surged forward on either wing and either found the back of the net or each other. The prolific duo were jointly involved in 35 goals in 233 appearances, with Mane setting Salah up on 18 occasions.
Their best season arguably came in 2018-19 when they starred in Klopp's Champions League-winning side. They came so close to also winning the Premier League, missing out to Manchester City by one point despite finishing on 97 points.
Salah and Mane both hit 22 goals in the league and it feels wrong to envision a dream team without them pairing up. But the 32-year-old explained in an interview with Joel Beya of GIVEMESPORT's Market Madness podcast, who'd partner him in his five-a-side team:
"Bobby Firmino or Sadio Mane, for sure"
Beya pushed him for one pick:
"How I feel today. I go, Bobby, he gives me more assists."
Salah and Mane got most of the plaudits on the attacking front during Klopp's reign at Liverpool, but Firmino was equally as important. The Brazilian striker played with a selfless mentality, wanting to bring others into play and blending goalscoring with providing.
Firmino set Salah up on 22 occasions in 245 games together, which speaks volumes of his role in the Reds' team. He took the Egyptian's last spot in his five-a-side team but wouldn't be the only familiar face on Merseyside.
Who Else Made Salah's Five-A-Side Team?
It was stacked with "very good players", including himself
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Beya tasked Salah with forming a five-a-side team of former teammates, excluding a goalkeeper. Liverpool's third all-time top scorer said it was difficult because he played with "very good players" not just at Anfield but also at Chelsea and Fiorentina.
Having eventually chosen Firmino over Mane, he said:
"I'll go Virgil van Dijk"
The Dutch defender has been a colossal presence at the back since joining the Reds in a club-record £75m deal in 2018. His leadership, defensive prowess and aerial abilities have rocked the Kop.
"Eden Hazard"
Salah only made nine appearances with the former Chelsea attacker, but the Belgian was a world-class performer at Stamford Bridge. Many often try to compare the pair based on similarities during their respective spells in England.
"Philippe Coutinho"
Liverpool fans will always use the Brazilian as an example that the grass isn't always greener on the either side. His disastrous £146m move to Barcelona doesn't tarnish his sensational performances at Anfield.
Salah has shattered records and exceeded expectations since returning to England and taking his rightful place among Liverpool's all-time greats. He'll undoubtedly be chasing Ian Rush's all-time goalscoring record of 339 goals, having penned a new two-year deal.
Mohamed Salah's Five-a-side Team (Premier League)
Player:
Appearances:
Goals:
Assists:
Major Trophies:
Salah five-a-side
All statistics courtesy ofTransfermarkt- correct as of 02.06.2025
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