Mohamed Salah is possibly the most popular footballer in the country.
He is of course a hero to anyone of an Anfield persuasion, but to rival fans also, there is a likeable, unassuming quality about the Egyptian superstar that is difficult to dislike. He somehow manages to transcend most tribal divisions within the English game, and attract a begrudging respect (and even affection) from those who would normally want Liverpool players to fail.
As a mark of their undying love for the scintillating forward – and of course ahead of the Champions League final – locals of the Merseyside town of Kirkby in Knowsley decided to erect a life-size cardboard effigy of Salah at Pigeon House in West Vale, accompanied by a Kyiv themed red flag. The messsage was clear – Kirkby is red…
https://twitter.com/craig_earley/status/998879847538741248?s=21
Egyptian King now King Of Kirkby! @MoSalah pic.twitter.com/bAr2IkuM1D
— Vincent Newcombe (@vinnynewcombe) May 20, 2018
Salah spotted in Kirkby @MoSalah @ejwlfc pic.twitter.com/NtZ3A1oRya
— Wr1ghtym 🇪🇺 (@wr1ghtym) May 22, 2018
However, local Blues fans had other ideas. Under the cover of darkness, they took to the Salah tribute, and did the most offensive thing one could do to a Liverpool hero – they donned him in an Everton jersey. Here’s video footage of a cheeky Evertonian descending from his ladder after doing the dirty…
https://twitter.com/FalconBlues1878/status/999221090051395584
https://twitter.com/pab_84/status/999229151008776194?s=21
As you can see below, Liverpool fans from the area are not best pleased, but thankfully some did see the funny side. What will become of the cardboard effigy over coming days remains to be seen. Reds supporters everywhere will be hoping that the real Egyptian king can do the business against Real Madrid come the weekend.
https://twitter.com/SarcyFringehead/status/999554838475235328
Unfortunately our bitter blue mates got up there last night Mo is now blue . Video going around with them doing it . @Sumpty23 @LFC_Banners pic.twitter.com/7d9gheSyTV
— Tommy Flet (@teeth_turkey) May 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/paddy_robo/status/999212016878391296?s=21
https://twitter.com/tonymrs25/status/999403362348163072?s=21
