Jurgen Klopp has offered passionate praise for Mo Salah's incredible work in helping break down intolerance.
The Liverpool manager responded to the news that the Egyptian star has been named as one of the world's 100 most influential people, by insisting he is smashing racial and religious barriers.
Klopp admitted that these are “dangerous” times, with so much hatred and bigotry washed across the globe – inspired by a resurgence of the hard right in so many countries.
But he believes Salah's “joy and love” is an antidote to that – and is helping spread the message that Islamophobia is simply dangerous and wrong.
“He’s a role model in so many different things. It’s really, really nice to have him, and Sadio as well,” he explained.
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“Both are Muslims and live that, in a world where these things are very often discussed in a dangerous manner, where people think ‘they are all like this’ or ‘they are all like that’.
“We know that’s not true, but it is nice to have somebody around full of joy, full of love and to do what he is doing around his religion.”
Klopp KNOWS that Salah has a massive influence on his squad, and on Liverpool – both the club itself and in the wider City.
And he also hopes and believes that his status can have a wider influence across the world in these dangerous times, with the player set to be honoured by Time magazine in the next few weeks, after appearing as a cover star.
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Salah in fact, is only the fifth footballer to be on the cover in the publication's 96 year history, and Klopp added:
“He’s in the middle of the dressing room, he’s sensationally good with all the boys and he is very influential for us. And if somebody thinks he is influential for the rest of the world as well then good, show it.”
“I don’t know exactly when the meeting will be, next week or so. He will go there, because it’s an important statement for the world.”
Klopp addressed the threat of Cardiff as he came back to the challenge of maintaining their lead at the top of the Premier League, following yet more midweek Champions' League triumph.
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And he hinted that returning defender Joe Gomez – who was top class at the start of the season to become a Liverpool and England regular before breaking his leg – could be considered on Sunday after appearing as a sub against Porto.
“Joe looked good. Will he start? We will see. We have a lot of players with a lot of rhythm, but it’s good to have him. It’s the same with Ox,” he said.
“As long as the other players show in training, no drop in form. It’s very good to have them back and in contention, that’s all.”
Dejan Lovren is also available after a bout of illness kept him out of the Porto game.
