This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Sadio Mane has told France Football that Mohamed Salah is an “exceptional player” and, even though they have had their differences, it is a “pleasure” to play alongside him for Liverpool.
What’s the story?
Many Reds fans will remember the Senegal international’s frustration when he wasn’t passed the ball by Salah against Burnley in August.
Watch the moment Adam Lallana broke United hearts at Old Trafford in the video below…
Speaking to France Football, the former Southampton man has admitted that although the two have not always seen eye-to-eye, he still enjoys playing alongside the Egypt international. He said of his teammate: “A crazy goalscorer. And an exceptional player who knows how to do everything. We have had our differences, but it remains a great pleasure to evolve with him because I have the feeling that we speak the same football.”
They bring the best out of each other
27-year-old Salah will have known that he should have squared the ball for what would have been an easy tap-in at Turf Moor, but in the end, it didn’t effect the final result as the Anfield outfit prevailed 3-0.
Mane did score that day, whilst the former Chelsea man was unable to get himself on the scoresheet.
The 61-cap star was visibly frustrated by Salah’s perceived selfishness, but in the long run it will do the pair a huge favour in their quest to become the best they can possibly be.
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The incident showed one thing in particular: both players are desperate to score as much as humanly possible. This season, it is Mane who leads the way, with 1o goals in all competitions, but his fellow winger is just two behind with eight. Last season, they were joint-winners of the Premier League’s Golden Boot along with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, ending the season with 22 strikes apiece.
Manchester City have a similar situation, with Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero fighting for a starting spot at the Etihad Stadium. The former has even said that the rivalry between the two has made him a better player. And although they weren’t playing for the same team, Cristiano Ronaldo recently said that his rivalry with Lionel Messi during his time at Real Madrid made both of them better.
The two Liverpool stars are in the same boat. Since they started playing together, they have been amongst the top marksmen in England’s top-tier.
The competition and desire for goals is pushing them to new heights and, although there will be moments of frustration as one looks to out-do the other, it shows they have the fire and desire to be the best.
Above all, the big winners are Liverpool, as the Premier League table currently shows.