Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has paid an emotional tribute to Roberto Firmino, describing his former teammate as one of the most unique players he has ever seen in football. Speaking in an interview with Rio Ferdinand Presents, Mane reflected on his years alongside Firmino and Mohamed Salah during Liverpool’s golden era under Jurgen Klopp.
Mane, who shared the frontline with Firmino and Salah for six trophy-laden seasons, said he had never encountered a footballer with Firmino’s style or qualities. “Firmino’s a different class. I’ve been watching football my whole life… and I’ve never seen anyone like him,” Mane said. “Never seen someone play like him, never had a teammate like him. He’s literally the only footballer whose photo I’ve got framed in my house.”
The Senegalese star highlighted Firmino’s unselfishness, intelligence, and tactical awareness as key reasons behind Liverpool’s success. Together, the trio formed one of the most feared attacking combinations in Europe, guiding the Reds to the UEFA Champions League title in 2019 and the Premier League the following season.
