Why Sadio Mane’s outburst to hold Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah to account is good for the blood

Fact that Jurgen Klopp’s squad have become self-policing displays their new-found mean streak that echoes back to the glory days of Dalglish and Souness

Sadio Mane was right to get annoyed with Mohamed Salah when the Egyptian did not pass the ball his way in Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Burnley on Saturday.

Mane was furious when he was substituted. The Senegalese believed that he could have added a fourth goal if the ball had been laid off in his direction.

Equally, Salah was within his rights to shoot. He has earned the chance to try his luck with his goalscoring exploits – 57 in 78 Premier League matches.

Jurgen Klopp will be delighted with Mane’s reaction. It shows that the team’s killer instinct is still sharpening. Even the stars of the side are being held to account by their team-mates, a characteristic of the very best Liverpool sides over the years.

When Klopp took over at Anfield there was a feeling that the team were not tough enough. They could be bullied by opponents and took setbacks too easily for their manager’s liking. Graeme Souness called Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal “a team of son-in-laws,” suggesting that the squad at the Emirates were too nice. Similar insults could be applied to Liverpool.

Klopp’s team are no longer a soft touch. They hold each other to account. When a mistake on the field is made, the disapproval of colleagues can be even more cutting than the criticism of a manager. Mane’s outburst shows that Liverpool have reached the point where the players are self-policing. It is a great place to be.

Salah and Mane have a good friendship. It shows in their interactions on the pitch. That should not stop them pushing each other in private or public.

Sometimes even bad relationships are good for the team. Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez did not get on. The rivalry pushed both players to try and outdo the other. The 2013-14 season was the most productive of the Englishman’s career as he strove to outscore his fellow forward. The uneasy partnership almost fired Liverpool to the title.

Traditionally, players at Anfield were encouraged to let those around them know if they were not maintaining the required standard. Under Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan in the 1980s, the dressing room was controlled by Kenny Dalglish and his fellow Scots Souness and Alan Hansen. Any sign of weakness on the pitch was pounced upon and called out. If things were going wrong no one was immune to criticism. “If you were tired, not contributing or slacking, they didn’t want to know you,” Craig Johnston, the Australian midfielder, said. “They kept everyone in line. They kept the rest of the team professional. They were savage about getting the job done in the most direct way.”

They would approve of Mane’s approach.

Sadio Mane was furious with Mohamed Salah’s failure to pass to him in Liverpool’s win over Burnley (Reuters)

Dalglish and Souness were – and remain – close mates but when Liverpool reached half-time 3-0 down to Coventry City at Highfield Road in December 1983, the bonds of friendship were severely tested.

The dressing room was in uproar with Alan Kennedy, the left back, the main focus for criticism but Souness – whose nickname was ‘Champagne Charlie’ – began rowing with Dalglish. “It went out of control,” Johnston said. “Kenny and Charlie were going for it. It started over something small, like ‘you didn’t pass to me, you greedy bastard,’ and blew up. I’d never seen anything like it before or since. The big beasts went for each other. It was excellent viewing.”

The spat was quickly forgotten. Liverpool ended up losing 4-0 that day but went on to win the title, the League Cup and the European Cup that season.

Johnston’s amusement was echoed by Roberto Firmino’s at Turf Moor. The Brazilian was acting as a peacemaker but it was clear Firmino could see the funny side of the situation. Everyone connected with the team will have a laugh about what happened but no one will want to be on the receiving end of a similar reaction.

Mane's frustration continued as he left the field (Reuters)

Liverpool have developed a mean streak in the past two years. Their response to losing the Champions League final to Real Madrid last year was anger. No one wanted to suffer another defeat like Kiev. They have become more mean-eyed and clinical. One of the signature moments in the semi-final against Barcelona came in the second leg at Anfield. With Liverpool three goals down, Andy Robertson bundled over Lionel Messi and then rubbed the Argentinian’s head in mockery. Robertson showed absolutely no respect for the world’s best player and the contemptuous act enlivened the Kop as much as any goal in the 4-0 win.

Klopp’s team are becoming a different animal. They are up for a scrap – even if it is between themselves if someone does not reach the heights that are demanded. No one can complain if Salah shoots but he needs to score. If he misses he cannot moan if Mane – or anyone else – lets him know he needs to do better. The row at Burnley shows Liverpool are on the right path.