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Mohamed Salah could miss Liverpool pre-season with Egypt intent on using forward at 2020 Olympics

The Pharaohs want to include Salah as one of their three overage players in the Under-23 squad

Jack Rathborn
Wednesday 12 February 2020 15:17 GMT
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Salah will be forced to choose between club and country
Salah will be forced to choose between club and country

Mohamed Salah could miss Liverpool’s pre-season with Egypt planning to include him in their squad for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The Olympic squads are predominantly made up of Under-23 players, but teams can include three senior players.

And Egypt boss Shawky Gharib wants Salah as one of his designated overage players.

Salah has reportedly not been involved in the process, meaning he will have to decide on whether to take part in the tournament in Tokyo or play in the Reds’ pre-season. The tournament will take place from 22 July to 8 August, with the opening day of the Premier League scheduled on the same day as the final.

“Out of the three senior players we’ll call-up, Salah is the only one we’re settled on so far because he’s simply one of the top three players in the world,” Gharib told ON Sport.

“I haven’t talked to Salah at all about him joining the U-23 squad for the Olympics, but in all honesty, his participation in the Olympics will need a little effort from him as well.”

Jurgen Klopp has already addressed the issue but would not declare his position publicly, instead maintaining there will be a private conversation between himself and the player.

“The Olympics is a wonderful thing but it would not be too cool,” Klopp said.

“No decision has been made yet. What I have to say I will say it to Mo, so that is all. Neither side has made a decision.

Salah will be forced to choose between club and country

“I wish we could have whole squad together for pre-season but that is not possible for different reasons.”

Gharib is also relaxed about Salah’s involvement and admits the player is free to decide whether to play or not.

“We have to send a preliminary list of 50 players. Salah will be the first on the list as an official call-up,” he added.

“Salah’s participation in the Tokyo Olympics is in his hands, but there are other factors that may affect his decision. The Olympic football tournament will be held from 23 July to 8 August, which is the same time Liverpool will be preparing for the new season.”

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