Mohamed Salah: Explaining the personality of the Liverpool striker after the Arne Slot dispute – written by Jurgen Klopp and more

When Salah first moved to England – where he signed for Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea after impressing for Basel in Switzerland – he struggled to impose his personality in a team full of established stars, and lacked self-confidence.

“When I first met him, he was 21, and he was very innocent,” says former colleague Mark Schwarzer. “He was coming to London – a big city, a different culture – and I think he was a bit shy.

“When he signed, he walked into a changing room full of world-class stars – players who were used to winning, and a coach who was a club legend. For new players, it was sink or swim.”

“The more he didn’t score, the more frustrated he became. There was a moment in the changing room when Jose kicked the table, and he was directing a lot of his frustration at Mo, so he took it out. Mo was visibly upset.

“Credit to him, his determination and dedication and everything, for coming forward and delivering what he did.”

Salah rebuilt his career in Serie A, first during a loan spell with Fiorentina and then at Roma, developing a reputation as a leader on the pitch and ultimately a professional.

“He was completely different,” explains BBC analyst and former England and Manchester City defender Micah Richards, who played alongside Salah at Fiorentina. “You get these characters who do everything by the book – he was that guy.

“He always went to bed early, always ate healthy. He obviously thought: ‘I’m going to show everyone exactly what I can do.’ “All those who doubted me will eat their words.” And that’s exactly what he did.

For a young African, setting standards for his European colleagues to follow was a challenge in itself.

“To succeed in Europe you have to understand the culture of where you play, and where you live, without losing any of your principles,” says former Egyptian striker Mido, who played for Tottenham, Roma and Ajax among others. “That’s the balance he struck.

“He made young boys in Africa dream: If someone who comes from a background like me makes it to the top, why can’t I?”