The debate over Liverpool’s star midfielder is a hot topic. It’s hard to separate the two stars, especially with Salah’s natural ability. Unlike Firmino, however, Salah can play as a center forward, converting through balls and crosses. And he’s blessed with a magical left foot, enabling him to curl in shots on the far post. Which is better?
Firmino
Is Firmino more important to Liverpool than Salah? Liverpool have been doing quite well without Salah and Mane in midfield, but it is not entirely clear if they will survive without either of them. Mane and Firmino are both capable of scoring goals but it’s often difficult to tell the difference between them. Both can punish a team in different ways. While Liverpool would prefer to keep both in their squad, they should prepare for a world without one or the other. Firmino is still young enough to be a world class attacker, but if he does end up leaving the club, they will have to prepare for life without them.
In the end, though, Liverpool’s front three – Mane, Salah, and Firmino – were fantastic, and the trio helped the club win the Premier League and the Champions League. Although Salah may have won the League last season, Firmino and Mane were the main players in the first half of the season. Firmino has been out injured in recent months and Diogo Jota has taken his place. Last season, the two were the main strikers for Liverpool, but Luis Diaz played more games.
With a deal that expires in summer 2023, Firmino has one year left on his contract. After that, he will be free to speak to overseas clubs. As long as Liverpool receive a firm bid, they would consider selling him. Firmino’s potential departure could also speed up the Liverpool plans to sign Salah. It is difficult to say, but it is not impossible.
Mane
While Liverpool’s current star players, Salah and Firmino, are more important to the club, some would argue that Sadio Mane is even more important. The pair have scored 54 goals between them this season and have a combined total of 54 assists, proving their importance to the Reds both with and without the ball. Despite his injury-proneness, Mane has been able to keep his cool despite missing a number of chances in recent weeks.
The Egyptian forward has been impressive since arriving at Anfield and has slowly converted into an inside forward. The arrival of Salah has facilitated this progression. Robertson has become the more athletic full-back and has benefited from Mane’s overlapping runs. The two men work tirelessly on the left wing, providing a consistent attack and recovery runs. Salah’s pace is an asset, as is the dynamism and pacing of Mane.
But is Salah Mane more important to Liverpool than Firmino? According to John Barnes, the two strikers have been paired well in recent years, and the former is arguably more influential than the latter. While Salah has been the more impressive of the front three, Mane has made the most impact since Klopp’s arrival in 2014.
Salah
Both Firmino and Mane are key to the Reds’ attacking success. Firmino is more of a number nine in attack, creating space and opportunities for Sadio Mane to exploit. Mane, on the other hand, plays a more central role and is a natural target man. The Egyptian has an enviable left foot that is capable of curling in shots from outside the box.
The trio of Salah, Mane, and Firmino starred during Liverpool’s incredible run in the last season. Their combined total of 338 goals and 155 assists was ridiculous. The trio made Liverpool one of the best attacking combinations in Premier League history, with each contributing to their team’s success. However, the trio’s success came at a cost. The trio’s chemistry together led to an unprecedented level of success.
As the most productive attacking trio in the Premier League, Salah Mane and Firmino have contrasting attributes. Firmino is a more creative player but also a team leader. He commands the midfield and dictates the game and drops deep to give teammates space to pass to. However, Mane’s explosive pace and acceleration makes him a more effective winger, and his availability is more valuable to the team than Firmino.
While Firmino played a pivotal role for Liverpool in his heyday, it’s now time for him to find a new role, especially with the arrival of Mane and Salah. While Firmino’s contract expires in summer 2023, Mane’s is up for renewal and could be sold in the summer of 2022. But Liverpool want to keep him – and would be willing to do anything to retain him for the long haul.
Mane’s chemistry with Salah
The chemistry between Liverpool striker Salah and forward Sadio Mane has improved dramatically in recent weeks, but rumours have continued to circulate in the Liverpool team. The pair have had a particularly rocky start to the season, and a number of injuries disrupted their rhythm. But they have now shown signs of progress, and Salah has become the top scorer in the Premier League this season.
The chemistry between the two strikers has improved significantly over the course of the season, with Salah setting up Mane on several occasions in the past few months. Salah has now created more big chances in the Premier League than any other Red since the start of the 2017/18 season, and the front three have looked more potent. In 2018, Mane stepped up his game to match Salah’s, and they shared the Golden Boot last season.
The positive atmosphere in the Liverpool dressing room is clear in videos. Since Jurgen Klopp took over in 2015, the atmosphere in the team has improved significantly. The trio must continue to work together to compete for titles. The pair must continue to translate this positive atmosphere into on-pitch performance. But in the meantime, Salah and Mane can make history by becoming the first Englishman and Liverpool player to score 100 goals in a season.
Mane’s departure to Bayern Munich
Following the news that Sadio Mane has left Liverpool for Bayern Munich, the club have begun preparations for his departure. The club have already signed Benfica forward Darwin Nunez and have spent over a hundred million euros on the likes of Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah. Jurgen Klopp has paid tribute to the Liverpool forward, calling him one of the best ever. Despite the move, Mane remained coy about his future.
The Liverpool striker has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window. The 30-year-old is believed to be keen on a new challenge following his contract expires at the end of next season. In addition to a new challenge, the former Leicester City winger will now be located just over an hour from Anfield. However, many Liverpool fans will be glad to see him go.
The move to Bayern has triggered speculation about the future of Robert Lewandowski and Sadio Mane. Robert Lewandowski, who has a contract expiring in 2023, has previously said he wants to leave Bayern. While Lewandowski’s future at Bayern remains unclear, Sadio Mane is a perfect fit. He is likely to replace Lewandowski, who has been linked to Real Madrid and Arsenal in recent months.
Mane’s impact on triumvirate
Sadio Mane’s form is a matter of debate. The Senegalese striker has been in and out of form for most of this season. He was a major doubt against Southampton but scored against the Saints despite being on the bench. Mane has scored 48 goals for Liverpool in the last two seasons, and was a major reason for the Reds’ qualifying for the Champions League.
It is not yet clear if Salah will remain at Liverpool. The Algerian has hinted he would play elsewhere in December and has since been linked with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. However, the club insists Salah is the club’s top priority. Mane’s current contract expires in 2020, so he has until that point to decide his future.
Despite the controversy, Mane and Salah have formed a devastating triumvirate for the Reds. Mane’s recent spat with Salah was caused by his frustration at not being able to pass the ball to him. However, this situation has been resolved as the pair are now friends. Mane’s reaction against Salah prompted him to earn a penalty and Famara Diedhiou converted it to secure a 1-1 draw.
Sadio Mane’s contract with Liverpool is coming to an end, and the players have been in talks about a new contract. Salah has made it clear that he will not sign a new contract and will be available to speak with foreign teams in January. Mane, meanwhile, recently won the African Cup of Nations with Senegal and won the tournament’s player of the tournament award. With Salah and Mane helping Liverpool to the Premier League, it is hard to argue with the quality of this trio.
