“He didn’t overstep the line”: Reds coach plays down Mané tantrum over subsitution

After Liverpool’s thrilling 7-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday, there were plenty of opinions surrounding Senegalese winger Sadio Mané and his reaction to being substituted off for Mo Salah just before the hour mark.

Mané netted a goal and managed an assist against the Eagles but looked unhappy to be coming off the pitch when he did – but despite the speculation surrounding his tantrum, Liverpool coach Gary O’Neil was quick to defend the winger, stating that he didn’t think Mané was throwing his toys out of the pram during his appearance on the radio show TalkSPORT…

🤝 "He shook hands with Klopp and Salah."

❌ "I don't think there was throwing toys out of the pram."

😤 "Sometimes, as a player, you don't know what's best for you." @GazONeil says #LFC's Sadio Mane didn't overstep the mark when he was subbed. pic.twitter.com/CfC4lRog2d

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 21, 2020

I have to agree with O’Neil here – I don’t think there has been or ever will be a problem between anyone at the club whilst Jurgen Klopp is there and this current team keeps performing the way they do.

There have been no signals or moments where you may think something could be going on behind the scenes and to even suggest something like that from the people outside of the club of fandom is ridiculous in my opinion.

Mané is a goalscorer and a world-class forward so of course, he is going to want to be on the pitch and involved in every aspect of the game, therefore him being substituted denies him of that and that is what the best players are like. They want to play and don’t care about the consequences it could have – and that it simply how Mané operates.

Salah also reacts the same when being taken off or not starting, they just want to be involved in the game and that shows a sign of real goalscorers and top quality players who want to be on the pitch to make their mark.

I think the club is really lucky to have such players at the club with this attitude as you know they will give everything on the pitch.

What do you think Liverpool fans, is there a problem with Sadio Mané? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below…