By Updater
Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli forward Roberto Firmino has spoken up on the conflict between his former teammates Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
The Brazilian played with these African football stars during his spell with Liverpool FC wherein they won almost everything including the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, English Football League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Clubs World Cup together.
According to Firmino, the Salah-Mane feud has been the worst-kept secret in Liverpool while the trio formed one of the most feared attacking patterns across the continent.
For example, in 2019, mane was seen fuming on the bench after Mohamed Salah opted not to pass the ball to him for what should be a simple tap-in.
In his new book ‘Si Senor’: My Liverpool Years’ The Brazilian wrote: “I knew guys very well, maybe better than anyone. It was me out there on the field, right in the middle of them.”
“I saw first-hand the looks, the grimaces, the body language, the dissatisfaction when one was mad at the other. I could feel it.”
“I was the link between them in our attacking play and the firefighter in those moments. They were never best friends; each kept himself to himself.”
“It was rare to see the two of them talking and I’m not sure if that had to do with Egypt-Senegal rivalry in African competitions. I truly don’t know.”
“But they also never stopped talking, never severed ties. They always acted with the utmost professionalism. I never took sides. That’s why they love me. I always passed the ball to both; my preference was for the team’s victory.”
Lucky van Rukundo