Jurgen Klopp provides update on Mohamed Salah’s Olympics fate
Speaking in his pre-Norwich City press conference, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has stated that no decision has been taken with respect to Mohamed Salah’s participation in the Tokyo Olympics.
The German elaborated that the club needs more information before they can come to the decision.
“No decision yet, but we will see.”
He confirmed that no one has contacted the club and the Egyptian’s involvement as of now is ‘just in the media’. The club will look at factors such as preparation time before making the call.
The Olympics rules permit only three players over the age of 23 to be included in a nation’s squad. Salah has been named in Egypt’s provisional 50-man list for the event
The men’s tournament is scheduled to run from July 24 to August 9. With the Premier League season set to start to August 9, Jurgen Klopp will be forced to begin the season without his talismanic attacker if he indeed decides to go.
Thankfully for Liverpool, Fifa had previously stated that clubs are under no obligation to release the player for the Olympics. The final decision rests with Liverpool, a point Egypt Under-23 boss Shawky Gharib acknowledged. (h/t BBC)
Klopp admitted that it isn’t ideal to lose the player for the pre-season and that he will speak to Salah before making his decision.
Using the situation to the club’s benefit
Liverpool will have to contend with the departure of their Africa based players for the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2021. Apart from Salah, the Reds are likely to also lose Sadio Mane and Naby Keita.
With two competitions Salah could potentially take part in, Liverpool could try to negotiate an agreement with the club regarding the player’s availability. It would be well worth a shot to try and come to an amicable solution that helps all parties.
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Liverpool are back in action this Saturday against Norwich City. A win will take the Reds 25n points clear at the top of the table.
