‘We weren’t close’ – Mohamed Salah admits there was tension between him & ex-Liverpool co-star, Sadio Mane, as Reds talisman fires back at 'selfishness' claims.

Mohamed Salah has admitted there is some truth to reports of tension with former team-mate Sadio Mane, though the two always respected each other.

Speaking to L'Equipe, Salah admitted he and Mane weren't necessarily friends during their time under Jurgen Klopp, but insisted their relationship remained professional and didn't impact the team.

There were always reports of tension between the pair, which became particularly apparent when Mane infamously clashed with the Egyptian for failing to square the ball at Burnley early in the club's first Premier League title-winning season in 2019-20. The pair have scored 296 Premier League goals between them, once sharing a Golden Boot and forming a formidable trio with Brazilian Roberto Firmino.

Salah said: "Yes, there was tension with Sadio. Mind you, we were professional until the end, I don’t think it affected the team. Off the pitch, we weren’t very close, but we always respected each other."

Salah also responded to claims Mane thought he was selfish, saying: "I don’t care. People can think what they want, it’s their right. But I invite everyone to note that the person who provided Mane with the most assists is me. At the end of the day, I know what I did, and my conscience is clear."

WHAT NEXT FOR SALAH AND MANE?

While it's unlikely the two will be meeting up for a catch-up anytime soon, Salah will have the chance to lift another Premier League trophy and potentially also a Player of the Year award come the end of the season. Mane is currently playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, who sits in fourth place in the Saudi Pro League.