Roberto Firmino has disclosed in his new book, “Si Senor: My Liverpool Years,” that Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane were never close friends during their time as Liverpool teammates. Despite the apparent underlying tension between them, Firmino emphasized their commitment to professionalism over personal differences.
The Brazilian often played the role of mediator, acting as the glue that held the famous Liverpool trio together. This dynamic became particularly evident during a game against Burnley in 2019 when Mane reacted strongly to being substituted and Salah chose to shoot instead of passing to Mane in a better position.
In an excerpt from his book published in The Guardian, Firmino acknowledged that he sensed tension had been building since the previous season. He felt a duty to defuse the situation between them, noting that such tense moments typically passed quickly. Despite occasional conflicts, Firmino highlighted how they would quickly return to collaborating on the field, celebrating goals as a unified team. Firmino pointed out that Salah and Mane had encountered issues before, but the incident against Burnley brought everything to the forefront for the world to witness.
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Firmino explained that by pulling a face in the tunnel afterwards, he was trying to convey to Liverpool fans that it “wouldn’t lead to anything serious”.
He continued, stating, “Whether Salah was aware of it or not, his reluctance to pass the ball used to frustrate everyone. I possessed the skills to handle such situations adeptly. Klopp directly confronted this issue with all of us, emphasizing that when a teammate was in a better position, the ball should be passed. It was a clear message directed at Salah. I must acknowledge that over the years, this aspect of his game significantly improved. He gradually became less selfish and more collaborative.”
Firmino also elaborated on Mane’s temperament, describing him as “more intense in both positive and negative moments,” displaying greater volatility and explosiveness than the other two. The Brazilian willingly sacrificed himself, understanding that substituting him caused less tension within the group compared to either of the other two.
“They were never close friends; each kept to themselves,” Firmino revealed. “It was uncommon to witness the two of them engaged in conversation, and I’m uncertain if it had any connection to the rivalry between Egypt and Senegal in African competitions. I genuinely don’t know. However, they never ceased communicating, maintaining their professional conduct at all times.”