From GQ to Time, exploring the impact of Mohamed Salah's off-pitch activities at Liverpool

The forward has become more prevalent in terms of a global icon as well as footballer - something well received at Liverpool as the Reds continue to rebuild their own worldwide status

'All my dreams and goals were to become a well-known professional, but I couldn't imagine I'd reach the level I'm at now." Mohamed Salah, GQ magazine, October 2019.

Liverpool's Egyptian forward was named the infamous publication's Man of The Year 2019, in conjunction with being named in Time magazine's top 100 list of most influential people — appearing on the cover of both. In Time's April cover, Salah was draped in Liverpool purple, mimicking a left-footed strike he is synonymous with, even if it annoys Sadio Mané once in a while.

In this month's GQ edition, he is resplendent in black and cream suits, shirtless underneath, beaming with his warm and welcoming smile while in the company of Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio. Salah the person is tapped into, as a footballer, a Muslim, a father and husband. There has been some minimal pushback, from people arguing about gender norms and the fact Salah's appearance would not be tolerated as a Muslim woman. Yet he has used such platforms and status to highlight the same issue, telling Time in April: “I think we need to change the way we treat women in our culture, it’s not optional.”

Anyone currently asking the question of whether this all matters to Liverpool and what he does on the pitch? It does, massively.