Liverpool fans may double-take the next time their heroes run out onto the pitch, when a clean-shaven and considerably younger looking Mohamed Salah takes up his position up front.
The Egyptian maestro has opted to mark the Reds’ return to the top of the Premier League table by shaving off his trademark beard.
Fans will be hoping his mercurial football powers don’t wane as a result, as Jurgen Klopp’s bid to remain top of the pile and keep rivals Manchester City at bay.
Salah took to social media to show off his new look, posting a selfie from his car on Sunday morning en-route to training.
The current Premier League leading goalscorer looked a tad surprised in the snap, as if coming to terms with his fresh new look.
Salah’s team-mates quickly got in on the act, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain simply posting a reponse of ‘why?.’
Salah’s close friend and team-mate Dejan Lovren also seized the opportunity to make a joke, posing alongside the Egyptian for a picture along with the caption: ‘Mo is gone, so I have a new friend…Welcome Hamed Mahrous Ghaly. I like it.’
Liverpool boss Klopp was elated by the manner in which his side responded on Saturday, and enthused about the Reds’ performance.
‘That is the reaction we wanted to show,’ proclaimed Klopp. ‘We are very self-critical and it was clear we were not happy with the two previous performances.
‘We analysed it and wanted to play convincing football and to perform against Bournemouth. That is what we did – it was outstanding and a very good sign for us.’
However, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe also feels Liverpool got the luck of prospective champions after being told by his coaching staff that Sadio Mane’s opening headed goal after 24 minutes shouldn’t have been allowed.
‘It was a huge moment. We set up to frustrate them and we did restrict them space until the first goal. It was half-a-yard offside, a huge turning point.
‘VAR will help in those situations and I think it will benefit everybody (when it’s introduced in the Premier League next season). That type of goal is clearly offside and we will get the right decision.’