Sadio Mane is under investigation for allegedly fighting with teammate Leroy Sane at Bayern Munich, but Roberto Firmino’s’side-eye reaction to the camera was not only one of the funniest moments of Liverpool’s season, but it also provided insight into the mentality that has proven so successful
If Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team is known for anything, it is their unity, togetherness, and team spirit.
There have been numerous examples of it on and off the field, and it is one of the aspects of Liverpool’s rise to the top of the European and domestic game under Jurgen Klopp.
At the elite level of the game, there are obviously stresses and tensions that must be managed, especially with strong characters and personalities who are extremely driven and motivated to succeed.
High standards must be met and maintained, with the coaching staff and players clearly having high expectations of themselves and one another.
That’s how it has to be; they wouldn’t and couldn’t function at the same level without it.
There will always be moments when that bubbles over and leads to disagreement and conflict, as is the case in almost any workplace, and many have spoken of how the lack of’super egos’ in the Liverpool squad means that everyone is usually on the same page.
However, earlier in Klopp’s tenure, an incident provided an intriguing glimpse into such dynamics within the Liverpool squad and how they are managed.
The Reds traveled to Turf Moor in August 2019 to face Burnley in their only fourth Premier League match of the season.
In truth, it was one of Liverpool’s more comfortable victories this season, especially given the Reds’ previous struggles in east Lancashire, with two goals in four minutes shortly after the hour mark, the first an own goal from Chris Wood who deflected a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross into his own net, followed shortly after by a calm Sadio Mane slot after fine set-up play by Roberto Firmino, putting Klopp’s men firmly in command.
The expected second-half onslaught from the home side never materialised, and when Firmino fired home from the edge of the box with ten minutes remaining, it appeared to be the final act in a textbook away victory.
The 3,000 or so away fans in the David Fishwick stand at the opposite end of the stadium, enjoying the late summer sunshine, would have paid little attention to a chance to extend the lead to 4-0 shortly after, which Mo Salah spurned, or the substitution moments later, which saw Divock Origi replace Sadio Mane.
And few, if any, of the visiting Reds would have noticed Mane’s enraged reaction on the Liverpool bench after he was substituted.
Salah spurned a chance shortly after Firmino’s goal to shoot himself when he could have slipped the ball to the unmarked Mane alongside him, and despite the three points already secured and the Senegalese striker having already got his name on the scoresheet that day, he was briefly incandescent at his fellow African and had to be restrained by his slightly bemused team-mates on the bench.
Of course, the incident was used for months afterwards by the uninformed and those with a vendetta against Liverpool as ‘evidence’ that there was discord behind the scenes at Anfield when, in reality, it was the proverbial storm in a teacup, providing proof of the invincible will to win that exists in a squad where standards are set so high even late in a game that had already been won convincingly.
When asked about the incident in November 2019, Mane stated: “I was a little too frustrated. I told him on the pitch and protested when I was taken off due to my frustration.
“It was the first time we had a squabble like that. Even he was taken aback by the outcome of the match. ‘Sadio!’ he exclaimed to me. ‘Why are you acting this way?’ ‘Because I’m so frustrated!’ I explained. We made sure to talk after that to clear the air.
“But it’s still a pleasure to play alongside him because I have the impression we speak the same language when it comes to football.”
Salah also provided more details about the incident, telling Egyptian broadcaster MBC Masr TV that the two have a professional relationship.
“We are teammates on the field and have a very professional relationship in the locker room.” We both give it our all to help the team win.
“Perhaps we’re competing to see who’s the best, which is natural in any team and a legitimate right for any player, but in the end, we serve the team.”
“We’re selfish at times, but no one puts their interests ahead of the team.” It’s not intentional, whether from me or him; perhaps there was some tension in a previous match, and now everyone is trying to link everything to it.
“It was in a game [referring to the Burnley game] where Sadio left the field angry.” This was the first time people discussed the situation and connected every ball I didn’t pass to him or he didn’t pass to me to this situation.
“However, Sadio assisted my goal two games ago, and I also assisted him.”
The Mane-Salah ‘flare up’ added some spice to an otherwise routine and almost mundane early season win for the Reds, but there was a final postscript that provided a more accurate insight into the mood within the Liverpool squad.
Following the game, television cameras inside the Turf Moor tunnel showed the players returning to the dressing rooms, with the two allegedly feuding factions of Salah and Mane making their way up the steps, with Roberto Firmino in between.
The Mane-Salah ‘flare up’ added some spice to an otherwise routine and almost mundane early season win for the Reds, but there was a final postscript that provided a more accurate insight into the mood within the Liverpool squad.
Following the game, television cameras inside the Turf Moor tunnel showed the players returning to the dressing rooms, with the two allegedly feuding factions of Salah and Mane making their way up the steps, with Roberto Firmino in between.
Salah had his head down, and Firmino, spotting the television camera as he approached, blew his cheeks out, slightly slowed his stride, and widened his eyes with a big ‘well this is awkward’ smirk on his face.
It was hilarious, and it not only diffused the so-called flashpoint in the public eye, but it also provided insight into Klopp’s squad’s mentality.
There has always been, and will continue to be, tremendous pressure on everyone who represents Liverpool Football Club.
Because of the club’s unparalleled history and the fanbase’s, let alone the media’s, high expectations, everyone who dons the blood red shirt must deal with it.
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