Liverpool’s Sadio Mané has said there is no rivalry whatsoever between himself and The Reds’ other star striker Mohamed Salah.
Salah has won the CAF African Footballer of the Year award ahead of Mané for the last two years running. However, Mané is giving no time to the notion that a rivalry has developed between the Liverpool attackers.
Speaking to World Soccer, Mané, smiling, said:
“You’d love me to say there is (a rivalry) wouldn’t you?
“The media seem to expect there to be, but I can honestly say it isn’t even a competition for us. I think you can see that in our relationship both on and off the pitch. Everyone is trying to do all that we can for the success of Liverpool – it’s not just about us.
“We represent the club and the city to the best of our ability and it’s something we enjoy. Mo loves Liverpool just like I do and he’s been sensational since he joined the club.”
Mané spoke of the players’ appetite for success at Anfield with team trophies taking precedence over any potential individual awards.
“We just want to win trophies with this team. That is the priority. I know other players in the world have a rivalry going for individual awards, but for us, it isn’t something we think about too much. If we do, we have a laugh about it and if one of us ends up winning, we are all happy. The fact we get short-listed for any individual awards can only be good for Liverpool and our countries because it means we are doing something right.”
Liverpool’s 26-year-old Senegalese international forward has scored six goals in his last seven Premier League appearances. He has 14 league goals in 27 appearances already this season, the highest goal tally he has enjoyed in any season in the UK.
Mané needs to maintain such a rich vein of form if The Reds are going to power their way to league title success ahead of Manchester City in May.
Liverpool’s number 10 was not part of the matchday squad when Klopp’s men won 3-1 at Burnley back in December. He will be eager to make an impact when The Clarets visit Anfield in the early game this Sunday.
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