John Aldridge comments on Liverpool duo Sadio Mane & Mo Salah, makes Pogba comparison

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Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Mo Salah were the Premier League’s joint top scorers last season.

John Aldridge has suggested that the ‘financial rewards’ that are on offer to be the leading scorer in the Premier League could be one of the reasons behind Sadio Mane’s angry reaction towards his Liverpool teammate Mo Salah.

Before the international break, Mane, whilst being substituted during Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Burnley, reacted angrily to Salah not passing him the ball during a passage of play.

Last season, both players, along with Arsenal’s Pierre-Emrick Aubameyang topped the scoring charts in England’s top-flight, as they will be vying for that top spot once again this term.

But former Reds man Aldridge believes added with other things, the financial rewards of being top-scorer might be behind Mane’s reaction, as he used Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba as an example.

“One factor in this story that may be different from my time playing for Liverpool may be the financial rewards on offer for being the leading scorer for your club or winning the Premier League’s Golden Boot,” Aldridge told the Irish Independent.

“I got a nice little trophy and a slap on the back, but I’m sure Salah and Mane have huge bonuses written into their contracts if they finish as top scorer. We have seen Paul Pogba trying to snatch the ball every time Manchester United get a penalty, and you wonder whether that maybe because he is chasing goal bonuses.

“Liverpool didn’t have that problem as they rose back to the top of the European game under Klopp, so the manager needs to ensure all of his players keep their minds on what matters most and do not allow their own personal ambitions to blur that focus.”

Reactions such as Mane’s before the international break is actually a good thing for managers because it shows that there is passion and competition within the team.

Both players will no doubt drive each other on as they aim to finish top-scorers, which will only increase Liverpool’s chances of winning the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City.

The Reds have started off the season in a strong fashion. They are the only team in England’s top-flight with a 100% record and they will be hoping that continues when players return from international duty.