Owen spots fracas between two Liverpool stars which could concern Klopp

Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah Liverpool

Michael Owen has pointed out that there remains an intense rivalry between Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in the hunt for goals.

The African pair have become unmissable parts of Jurgen Klopp‘s side and are the team’s principle threats going forward.

Indeed, Salah recently notched his 100th strike under Klopp, with Mane a crucial match-winner on several occasions.

However the pair’s desire to find the back of the net has, at times, led to a heated debate between the two. Most memorably, Mane fumed at Salah last season for not passing during a victory at Burnley.

And speaking on DAZN‘s coverage of Saturday’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United, Owen pointed out Mane’s frustrations. The incident came after Salah hit the post, with Mane waiting in space.

“This is brilliant play from Salah. Not only is it a great turn, but then he cuts across his man,” Owen said. “Of course Sadio Mane is at the back post expecting a little tap-in.

“He definitely says something to Salah, as we see here – and then there’s a reaction – so there’s still something there.”

 

 

While Owen said the competition is healthy, he warned that the rivalry could lead to greater concerns.

“I expect it and it’s probably healthy at that point, at the moment,” the pundit added. “But if it it bubbles over into anything else then it’s not healthy.

“But I think it’s healthy that both players are really desperate to score. We’ve seen it before and I don’t think it’s worth getting too carried away at at the moment.

“But you can see it’s still there.”

Liverpool return to winning ways

Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool

Salah did have the ball in the back of the net at Anfield on Saturday, only to have the effort ruled out for offside.

However it was Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota who helped Liverpool recover from a goal down to win. Indeed, Firmino’s goal was only his first since the end of last season.

Jota, meanwhile, continued his fine form with his second Anfield goal since his recent move from Wolves.

READ MORE: Klopp wowed by Jota ‘sign’; gives ominous warning about Liverpool star’s limit