It was all hugs and smiles this time around as former Liverpool attackers Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane reunited after their clubs faced one another in the Saudi Pro League.
During their time on Merseyside, the duo – alongside Mohamed Salah – made up that devastating front three that fired the Reds to Premier League and Champions League success. Spending six seasons together they played on the same team 223 times, scoring a combined 202 goals between them.
Liverpool supporters were devastated when the group was torn apart by Mane’s departure in 2022, as he left for a new challenge at Bayern Munich. Emotions heightened tenfold when Firmino said a teary goodbye to Anfield just one year later.
The blow of losing both has been somewhat softened by the arrivals of Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, plus the step up made by Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz in recent seasons. In the meantime, Jurgen Klopp’s old forwards have made their way to the growing power that is the Saudi Pro League.
In the competition’s latest round of fixtures, Firmino’s Al-Ahli, whom the Brazilian moved directly to on a free transfer last year, played host to Mane’s Al-Nassr, the club he signed for after lasting only one year in Germany.
Whilst on paper it was a third versus second in the table clash, both remain far from leaders Al-Hilal. Six points separated the clubs prior to kick-off though, so it at least presented an interesting battle for the last remaining AFC Champions League qualification spot.
Ultimately the bout at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium was settled by a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty in the second half – his 50th goal for the club. He had seen a goal ruled out by the video assistant referee for offside, as had Firmino at the opposite end of the field.
Once done, Firmino and Mane were then filmed sharing a moment together in the tunnel.
The ex-Reds heroes had a quick conversation as Firmino collected Mane’s match-worn shirt. It looked a much happier coming-together than the previous time the clubs met last September, when the Senegal international celebrated a goal by jumping on his annoyed former teammate’s back.
They then retreated to their own dressing rooms, with Ronaldo visibly pleased to bump into Mane in the aftermath.