When the Pass Never Came: Inside the Moment That Tested Mané & Salah’s Bond
Sadio Mané still laughs when he remembers the incident that once threatened to crack Liverpool’s famous attacking trio. It happened at Burnley, on a day when emotions ran hotter than the Turf Moor crowd. Mané was furious, visibly, and undeniable after Mohamed Salah failed to square a pass to him in a moment that seemed tailor-made for a goal.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand on his podcast episode named ‘Rio Meets Sadio Mané’ the former Liverpool forward recalls watching the highlights later and seeing his own face twisted in frustration.
“Oh, it was amazing,” he joked. “That’s why I was really, really angry after the game.”
The two stars didn’t speak that evening. They went home separately, both knowing the situation hung in the air. But the next morning, Salah approached him nervously, searching for the right moment and the right words.
He came to me and said, ‘Can we talk?’” Mané recounted. “I said, ‘OK, no problem, we go.’”
What followed was a simple, honest conversation that revealed the humility behind the rivalry.
“Salah explained himself with sincerity: ‘You think I didn’t want to pass to you? I didn’t score — Bobby scored. But even when I got the ball, I wasn’t thinking or even seeing you to pass. I just got the ball. I wanted to shoot. But I have nothing against you. And honestly, if I could pass to you and I saw you, I would.’
In that moment, all tension melted away. No egos. No grudges. Just two teammates, two brothers in football, clearing the air in the simplest possible way.
The Burnley incident became a chapter of growth rather than conflict, a reminder that behind the goals and glory, Mané and Salah built their success on honesty, respect, and a relationship strong enough to survive the heat of competition.
It was never about a pass. It was about understanding. And that, more than anything, is what made Liverpool’s iconic front line unforgettable.