CCTV footage from last month at a petrol station in Liverpool, near the Reds’ Anfield stadium, showed the striker stepping in to help David Craig as he was being targeted by a group of men, a report from the Sun newspaper said.

Salah, who had just helped Liverpool to a 3-1 win over Arsenal, calmed the situation by confronting and talking with the men, before withdrawing cash from an ATM machine to give to Craig.

The former laborer said the group of men had been harassing him and calling him names before Salah stepped in.

“Mo was every bit as wonderful as he is for Liverpool on the pitch,” Craig said.

“He heard what a group of lads were saying to me, then turned to them and said, ‘That could be you in a few years,’ they were calling me names, asking why I was begging and telling me to get a job.

“I only knew I wasn’t hallucinating when Mo incredibly handed me £100. What a complete legend.”Craig, 50, said Salah was a “real life hero” for his help and his gift.

Liverpool legend Salah has had a strong start to the Premier League campaign with five goals in his five games so far, including a brace in the champions’ shock 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday.

He is on international duty with Egypt this weekend before a crunch clash with Merseyside rivals and Premier League pacesetters Everton.