As Mohamed Salah prepares to depart Liverpool at the end of the season, the football world has been reflecting on his legacy, not just in goals and trophies but in the profound social impact he has had on the city he has called home for nearly a decade.

According to a Stanford University study, since Salah joined Liverpool, hate crimes in the Merseyside area have decreased by 19 per cent, while anti-Muslim comments online have dropped by 50 per cent. The research, highlighted by Football on TNT Sports, offers a rare quantitative look at how a single athlete can reshape perceptions and foster inclusion.

Salah's presence as a high-profile Muslim athlete in one of the world's most followed leagues has been transformative. His success, humility, and visibility have challenged stereotypes at a time of rising Islamophobia in the UK.

For Liverpool's diverse community, seeing a figure who shares their identity celebrated week after week has sent a powerful message.

The debate about whether Salah is the greatest African star to grace the Premier League continues to rage. His numbers speak for themselves. He leaves as one of the club's all-time leading scorers, a Premier League and Champions League winner, and a player who has redefined consistency. But the Stanford study suggests his greatest legacy may be what he has changed off the pitch.

As Salah prepares for his final months at Anfield, the city he helped transform is preparing to say goodbye to a player whose impact will be measured in more than goals. The numbers on hate crime statistics may ultimately prove as significant as any on the scoresheet.