A number of Liverpool fans have been left stunned by Michael Owen’s comments about Sadio Mane deliberately not winning a penalty against Chelsea.
Jurgen Klopp’s men experienced another damaging defeat on Thursday evening, losing 1-0 at home to the Blues.
Mason Mount’s first half strike was enough to separate the two teams, as the Premier League champions suffered a fifth consecutive defeat at Anfield.
Mane was one of the poorest players on show for Liverpool, as his below par run of form continues. The 28-year-old had one opportunity to go down under a tackle in the penalty area, but instead decided to say on his feet.
Incredibly, Owen told Optus Sport that Mane might not want to win a penalty because it would then allow Mohamed Salah to score it, suggesting a rivalry still exists between the pair of Liverpool superstars:
I couldn’t believe he didn’t go down there and look, I’m not advocating he does. It was a great touch and he possibly thought he might get a chance at the end of it, but he did something similar a week ago (against Sheffield United).
I just wonder, and it might be a little bit of devious thoughts creeping into my head, Mo Salah is the penalty taker in this team, and if he (Mane) thinks he’s getting a chance to score he thinks, “well I’m going to score, if I don’t stay on my feet, Mo Salah’s going to get another penalty.”
These players have been going for the Golden Boot for the past couple of seasons.
It might be a wild sort of theory, but the competitive nature of him and Mo Salah… we’ve seen them not passing to each other when one of them is in a much better position to the other.
We’re seeing a little bit of selfishness, we’re seeing a little bit of disgruntled behaviour – Mo Salah shaking his head (when he was subbed off).
I just think a couple of times there, I’ve seen Mane go down for those kind of opportunities… and (to not do it) two games on the spin? It just made me think a little bit.
These Reds supporters have been reacting to Owen’s bizarre remarks on Twitter, mocking the former striker.
https://twitter.com/j_holden96/status/1367787746023120901?s=20
Michael Owen claims Salah and Mane are sabotaging each other !! 🦧🤪 @LFC
ARE YOU OK MICHAEL ? 😷 #getwellsoon 🙏 @themichaelowen
https://t.co/8RArlfUnf1 via @MailOnline— The Red 🔴 Johnsen (@JohnsenStle) March 5, 2021
Surely not?! #LFC https://t.co/RX61slh16F
— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) March 5, 2021
Been a while since someone has said something as dumb as this.
— Willem van Staden (@WanStaden) March 5, 2021
— Stuart Chapman (@StuJChapman) March 5, 2021
Rubbish😂
— Joseff roberts (@joseff_roberts) March 5, 2021
