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Jurgen Klopp insisted that 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 up 4-0 at Selhurst Park and in cruise control when Mane, who scored the second goal, got his name to be substituted just before the hour.
The change seemed like an effort to preserve the Senegalese star with the game almost won and some big games ahead for the defending Premier League champions.
But Mane’s disapproval was clear as he initially ignored his number on the board and resisted the change before finally giving in and heading to the dugout.
(Image: BT Sport)
Mane, who had missed a golden opportunity for a second goal moments earlier after an accurate cross from Andy Robertson, was spoken to by teammates Roberto Firmino and Takumi Minamino before heading out.
He high-fived Klopp and incoming Salah, but didn’t say a word before heading to the stands to watch the rest of the game.
Klopp addressed the incident after the game and downplayed it as a human reaction.
Klopp told BT Sport: “I was not mad that Mo showed up.
(Image: BT Sport)
“He wasn’t happy because he looked at the clock, maybe it was the free throw that I don’t know exactly. He didn’t stay on the field until after the free throw.”
“So guys, you can’t play football like that if you’re just a soldier and do everything the boss says.
“They do what I say, but they are human beings and they react in a certain way. After the game, Sadio was completely fine. Everything is fine.”
After looking eager to stay on the field and participate on the road, Mane watched as Salah added two more goals in a wild 7-0 victory.
Mane’s reaction was similar to an unhappy reaction from Salah when the boot was on the other foot in Brighton a few weeks ago.
(Image: (Photo by Andrew Powell / Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
Salah shut out Jurgen Klopp and showed his frustration when he was replaced by Mane after an hour, but the German manager indicated he had few problems with his reaction at full time.
After that match, Klopp said: “The day Mohamed Salah smiles when he leaves the field, something is really wrong.
“I understand 100 percent, 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, but that’s it.”
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