Sometimes it is easy to forget just what a global club Liverpool FC are.
The Reds have a reach to match just about any football club on the planet, with fans in every corner of the world.
As a result, playing for Liverpool can give you a status that stretches far beyond the confines of football itself.
Players such as Mohamed Salah have become global icons while turning out for Liverpool. The Egyptian is much more than a footballer to so many people.
In Virgil van Dijk, the Reds boast another true icon of the game. Van Dijk is instantly recognisable to followers of the sport and those who take no more than a passing interest.
Someone who surely falls into the latter category is Hollywood superstar Kevin Hart. However, when Hart visited Manchester for a show this week, he simply had to get a snap with the Liverpool captain. And it was brilliant.
Kevin Hart meets Virgil van Dijk
Although he may not be everyone’s cup of tea, Hart’s mass and lasting appeal is undeniable.
The 45-year-old has been prolific in recent years as one of Hollywood’s primary comedic leading men.
Hart has also been branching out on his own. His ‘Acting My Age’ stand-up routine is currently on a world tour, landing in Manchester on Wednesday.
That’s where Hart ran into a certain Mr Van Dijk – as well as Nathan Ake of Manchester City. Having seemingly met the two players backstage, the actor shared a brilliant post with his 177 million Instagram followers.
“I got to meet 2 amazing guys last night,” wrote Hart. “Major shout out to Virgil van Dijk & Nathan Ake…. Congrats on all of ur [sic] success fellas…. Keep going!!!!! Looking forward to what you are going to do next!!!! Dinner on me when FIFA World Cup hits the States….”
Sharing a photo with the two defenders, the notoriously short Hart cut out the heads of each, explaining his decision as a need to ‘look cool at all times.’
“Sorry about ur [sic] heads in the picture fellas but rules are rules …. I have to look cool at all times.”
How did Van Dijk respond?
As much as these things can be measured, the popularity of Hart really does put into perspective the relatively limited star power of the likes of Van Dijk and Salah.
Although the pair are two of the biggest names in the sport, the Reds skipper has just over 16 million followers on Instagram while Salah has almost 65 million. Hart has not far off 200 million.
Van Dijk was clearly delighted to meet the actor, responding to his hilarious picture with a laughing emoji and a heart.
Ake was a little more descriptive, thanking Hart for his show and pledging to meet again in the US.
“Thank you for a great show man it was nice to meet you and see you soon in the States,” he said. What a crossover.
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