Jurgen Klopp reacts to Sadio Mane’s angry response to being replaced by Mo Salah
Jurgen Klopp insisted Sadio Mane was “completely fine” after his angry reaction to being replaced by Mohamed Salah in Liverpool’s win over Crystal Palace.
The Reds were 4-0 up at Selhurst Park and in cruise control when Mane, who scored the second goal, had his name called to be substituted just before the hour mark.
The change seemed an effort to preserve the Senegalese star with the game all but won and some big fixtures ahead for the defending Premier League champions.
But Mane’s disapproval was clear as he initially ignored his number on the board and resisting the change before eventually giving in and making his way to the dugout.
(Image: BT Sport)
Mane, who had missed a golden chance for a second goal moments earlier after Andy Robertson’s pinpoint cross, was spoken to by team-mates Roberto Firmino and Takumi Minamino before making his way off.
He high-fived both Klopp and the incoming Salah but did not say a word before making his way to the stands to watch the rest of the game.
Klopp addressed the incident after the game and played it down as a human reaction.
Klopp told BT Sport: “He was not angry because Mo came on.
(Image: BT Sport)
“He was not happy because he had a look at the watch, maybe it was the free-kick I don’t know exactly. He didn’t stay on the pitch until after the free-kick.
“So the boys, you cannot play football like this if you are just a soldier and do everything what the boss is saying.
“They do what I say but they are human beings and react in certain ways. After the game Sadio was completely fine. It’s all good.”
After seemingly being keen to stay on the pitch and be involved in the route, Mane watched on as Salah added two more goals in a rampant 7-0 win.
Mane’s reaction was similar to an unhappy reaction from Salah when the boot was on the other foot at Brighton a few weeks ago.
(Image: (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
Salah blanked Jurgen Klopp and showed his frustration when he was replaced by Mane after an hour but the German manager indicated he had little problem with his reaction at full-time.
After that match, Klopp said: “The day when Mohamed Salah is smiling when he leaves the pitch, something is really wrong.
“I get it 100 per cent but the problem is he was out with COVID for 10 days. He trained one, played 60 minutes and then plays again three days later.
“We just have to be careful. He doesn’t like that, we know that, but that’s it.”
