Even my mum is devastated about Mo Salah and she doesnt even watch football

Muslim Liverpool FC fans in the city told the ECHO Mo Salah’s emotional revelation left them astonished

Muslim Liverpool FC fans in the city told the ECHO Mo Salah’s emotional revelation left them astonished

“Mohamed Salah leaving Liverpool FC is more than just a football story – it feels deeply personal.” This was the sentiment shared by Kemal Coskuncay on behalf of the region’s Muslim community following the forward’s decision to leave at the end of the 2025–26 season.

For many, Salah has been far more than a footballer and rightfully so. He is often praised for his humility and his public display of religious practices, such as praying before and after games and at times, breaking his fast (Iftar) right before kickoff – sometimes even on the sidelines.

A widely cited study from researchers at Stanford University found that after Salah joined Liverpool FC in 2017 hate crimes in the Liverpool area dropped by just shy of 20% and anti-Muslim tweets from LFC fans decreased by almost half.

This doesn’t mean racism or Islamophobia disappeared in Liverpool – or football more broadly. Incidents still occur, and structural issues remain, but Salah’s presence appears to have shifted attitudes in a measurable, positive direction.

Chef Kemal, best known for his Halewood restaurant Casa Rima, said he represented a light in often dark times. The Turkish dad-of-three moved to Liverpool with his wife Gülay, because of his love for the club. He started following the team after the Reds’ Champions League win over Milan at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul in 2005.

The 48-year-old, who lives in Speke, told the ECHO: “Mo Salah gave people like us something powerful: visibility, pride, and belonging. In a city known for its passion and diversity, he became a symbol of unity.

“Whether you are from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, or anywhere in the world, you could see yourself in him. As a chef, I have travelled all over the world for my business. Every time I say I am from Liverpool, the first thing people say is ‘Mo Salah’. That shows his global impact. He is not only a player: Mo Salah is Liverpool in the eyes of the world.

“He didn’t just score goals, he broke stereotypes. With his humility, discipline, and respect for his roots, he showed the world what true success looks like.

“In every celebration, every act of kindness, every moment off the pitch, he represented not only Egypt but all of us who came here to build a life.

“For the young generation, especially from immigrant backgrounds, he is proof that you can stay true to who you are and still reach the very top. That’s something no statistic can measure. And for this city he is part of its modern history. The memories, the trophies, the unforgettable nights at Anfield, they are all written with his name.

“We still believe and we still hope he stays. Because players come and go, but figures like Mohamed Salah, leaders, inspirations, cultural bridges, are once in a generation.”

Kemal’s reaction to the news isn’t unique. Nahyan Chowdhury, from Wavertree, was scrolling on Instagram “as you do on a Tuesday night”, when he saw the news. The last time the ECHO spoke with the 26-year-old John Moores University graduate was just shy of a year ago when Salah ended speculation about his future with Liverpool by signing a new contract with the club.

The 33-year-old was due to become a free agent in the summer of 2025, but he revealed this wouldn’t be the case after putting pen to paper and extending his Anfield commitment.

Back then, Nahyan’s mum, who doesn’t watch football, was made up keeping “our Pharaoh on his seat and in Liverpool”. The same can’t be said now. Nahyan, the winner of BBC’s Last Pundit Standing said: “I saw a montage that Salah posted and thought, ‘okay, he’s just sharing his goals.’ Then suddenly it cuts to him sitting in front of all the trophies, and that’s when my heart dropped.

“I kind of knew then it wasn’t going to be good news. Honestly, it’s probably the worst news I could’ve received about Salah. I’m gutted, and even that feels like too soft a word. I’m completely devastated.

“This man gave me one of the greatest memories of my life, dragging Liverpool to the league title last season. Being there to see that trophy lifted, live, in the flesh, I’ll never forget it. Since he arrived, he’s broken records, scored goals, created chances – he’s done it all. And it’s not just what he’s done on the pitch, but off it as well.

“The reports about him helping reduce Islamophobia in the city just show how iconic he’s been for the community. I don’t even know how to put into words the impact he’s had. Even my mum is devastated, and she doesn’t even watch football. She’s always asking about Salah: how he’s doing, why he’s not in the team, even about the whole situation with Slot.

“That’s where we are now, even people who aren’t football fans in this city are going to feel this. It’s going to hurt, and it’ll be tough to take. But hopefully, we give him the send-off he truly deserves. We’re still in two competitions: the Champions League and the FA Cup.

“They won’t be easy, with PSG and Manchester City ahead, but hopefully this galvanises the squad. They need to realise what’s at stake and give one of the greatest players Liverpool, and the Premier League, has ever seen the send-off he deserves.”

A clear sign of Salah’s impact is heard in the chant sung by Liverpool fans: “If he scores another few, then I’ll be Muslim too”. While the lyrics are often seen as flippant, the chant is regarded as a symbol of unity and admiration.

Salah’s achievements in football have made him a global icon. His success resonates with Muslims who see him as an example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication. Mo Ali, from Toxteth, admires these displays most.

The 32-year-old, who is behind Lodge Lane’s KO Kebabish and Bold Street’s Ko Grill, told the ECHO: “As an Arab and a Scouser, I was very proud of how he did it. It put a smile on my face.

“He deserves a similar send-off to Klopp. He has shone an amazing light on Arabs around the world – I’ve seen an increase in Egyptian students coming into my Middle Eastern restaurant since he joined. Everyone always asks, ‘Where is he and what does he order?’

“I was astonished when I first heard the news – in disbelief. I had to double-check it was real. It felt like it came out of nowhere, but it was the right thing for him to do.

“The way he went about it was so professional. It’s clear what he means to us is what the fans mean to him. There have been legends who left before with barely a goodbye or farewell, but he took the fans into consideration and made us a priority – similar to how Klopp did.”

Salah made the revelation in an emotional video posted to his social media accounts shortly after 6.30pm on Tuesday, March 24. He said: “Hello everyone. Unfortunately the day has come.

“This is the first part of my farewell. I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. I wanted to start by saying that I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people, would become part of my life.

“Liverpool is not just a football club, it’s a passion, it’s a history, it’s a spirit. I can’t explain in words to anyone not part of this club. We celebrated victory.

“We won the most important trophies and we fought together through the hardest time in our life. I want to thank everyone who was part of this club throughout my time here, especially the team-mates past and present.”

Salah will leave Liverpool having won two Premier League titles, the 2019 Champions League and Club World Cup, the 2022 FA Cup and two Carabao Cups in 2022 and 2024. Currently sidelined with an injury, it’s unclear at this stage if he will be fit to face Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on the other side of the international break.

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