The former Liverpool striker previously played the role of peacemaker in the Liverpool camp, and he could be doing the same again.
Roberton Firmino has made his feelings on the Mohamed Salah saga at Liverpool clear. (Image: Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino seems to be taking up his role as peacemaker again with his simple message surrounding the situation with Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian international’s future at Liverpool is in doubt following an outburst against the club and manager Arne Slot last weekend.
The interview after the 3-3 draw against Leeds United saw Salah left out of the travelling Liverpool squad for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Inter. He will however be back in the squad for the game against Brighton at the weekend after holding talks with Slot.
Speaking ahead of the game, Slot confirmed that he was planning to hold a ‘conversation’ with Salah over the situation. That’s something that Firmino seemingly approved of, replying to the update with a clapping, red heart and praying emojis.
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The Brazilian spent eight years at Liverpool. By self-admission, quite a bit of that time was spent playing peacemaker between Salah and Sadio Mane.
In an extract in his book two years ago, Firmino, who played in between the two wide men, revealed part of his role under Jurgen Klopp which made the trio so successful.
“They were never best friends; each kept himself to himself,” he said in the extract released to the Guardian. “It was rare to see the two of them talking and I’m not sure if that had to do with the Egypt–Senegal rivalry in African competitions.
“I truly don’t know. But they also never stopped talking, never severed ties. They always acted with the utmost professionalism.
“I never took sides. That’s why they love me: I always passed the ball to both; my preference was for the team’s victory.
Mohamed Salah celebrates with Roberto Firmino of Liverpool after scoring their team’s first goal during the pre-season friendly match between RB Leipzig and Liverpool FC.(Image: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
“Many focus on what I brought to the attacking trio in tactical terms, but perhaps just as important was the human element: my role as peacemaker, unifier. If I didn’t do that, it would be nothing but storms between the two of them on the field.”
The tense relationship between Salah and Mane was confirmed by Klopp. “Were they best friends? No,” he said, via BBC Sport.
“Could Mo have passed the ball a few times when he tried to finish it off himself? Yes. But on the pitch they supported each other, they fought for each other.”
It seems that Firmino’s work in easing the tensions were invaluable to Klopp. He could now be doing the same for Slot, despite him being far away from the club this time around.
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