Egypt coach wants Mo Salah at this summer’s Olympics but says it’s not his decision

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Liverpool star Mo Salah is wanted by Egypt to take part in this summer’s Olympic Games in Japan, according to Reuters, via the BBC.

Egypt Under 23 manager Shawky Gharib says Salah has been named on the list of 50 players who are provisionally in contention to make the squad of 18, which is to be submitted in the summer.

Salah participating in the event would see him miss a huge chunk of pre-season, with Olympic event kicking off on July 22 and the final falling on the same day as the opening of the Premier League season – August 8.

Gharib said: “We cannot force Salah to participate with us. Salah’s participation is a decision to be taken only by Salah, Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp. I have chosen him in an expanded list of 50 players. The final list of 18 players will be submitted next June.”

TBR’s View – Klopp may face another international headache over Salah

The Africa Cup of Nations has been moved back into the middle of the season, so Jurgen Klopp already faces being without Salah between January 9 and February 6 in 2021.

It now seems as if he could be without Salah for pre-season and the start of the campaign. That could have a knock-on effect on his sharpness when he returns to Anfield.

Of course if he is successful at the Olympics, he could return with a spring in his step but Klopp is unlikely to want to lose one of his top players for two international tournaments within the same season.

It remains to be seen whether Salah agrees to go and it is promising for Liverpool that Egypt appear to have left the decision in their hands.