Mohamed Salah's true character summed up by Liverpool gesture away from pitch

 Members of Liverpool's Arab community have expressed a desire for Mohamed Salah to remain at Anfield, saying his presence has “brought everyone together.”

Salah stated he had no relationship with Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, making several explosive remarks in a bombshell interview after the 3-3 draw at Leeds United.

His comments resulted in him being left out of the squad for Liverpool’s midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan.

He has now returned to the squad for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Brighton following talks with Slot at the AXA Training Centre on Friday, receiving loud cheers and applause as he replaced Joe Gomez and later assisting Hugo Ekitike's second goal.

Moroccan-born businessman Otto Mellouki believes Liverpool’s third-highest all-time goal scorer has “faced the consequences” following the fiery interview. "As Liverpool supporters we love him, but as Arabs and Africans, it's even more," he told the BBC. "He's made a mistake. Let's just move on.

"Don't forget, Salah - he's an Arab, he's hot-blooded. You know it's going to come out but really his heart is clean and I don't think he meant what he said."

Mellouki, originally from Casablanca, moved to Liverpool at 16 and co-manages Bakchich restaurant on Bold Street, which hosted Salah and his wife for a meal after he joined the club in 2017.

"He wasn't that famous then. He'd just signed up for Liverpool but he was very humble, polite. The whole of Liverpool is built on immigration and I think it was easy for him to gel in."

Salah’s goals, combined with his prostrations in prayer and charitable efforts, quickly attracted attention far beyond football fans. He was hailed for breaking cultural barriers, earning the adoration of Liverpool supporters who dubbed him their “Egyptian king” and sang that he was “a gift from Allah.”

Mellouki says Salah’s impact has "made it easier for ethnic minorities and for Scousers in general, whether you're black or white or Chinese - I think he brought everyone together" and notes that children admire Salah and see him as a positive role model.

He added: "They're not shy anymore - everyone wants to be Salah, whether you're Moroccan or Egyptian or from anywhere in the Arab world."

Egyptian-born businessman Mohamad Farouk, a Liverpool resident for 23 years, met Mohamed Salah at his restaurant, Souk.

He said: "I've also seen Salah both in the mosque and at Anfield. In the mosque, he's humble, calm and completely respectful - no ego at all."

He says Salah has supported both local and international initiatives, including youth football programs , adding: "He does a lot quietly without seeking publicity, which shows how genuine he is. [Salah] is proof that someone from a small village can reach the very top."