Mohamed Salah could miss Liverpool pre-season as Egypt unveil Olympics plan
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is set to be called into Egypt's Tokyo 2020 Olympic squad, their manager has confirmed.
Whilst the Olympic tournament is contested by Under-23 sides, they are able to call-up three senior players.
Egypt manager Shawky Gharib has confirmed they have settled on Salah as one of those they plan to pick.
His involvement would cause him to miss Liverpool's pre-season ahead of the 2020/21 season.
But Gharib confirmed he has yet to speak to Salah about the plans, which leaves him facing a choice between club and country.
Speaking to ON Sport, Gharib said: “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.
“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.”
When the prospect of Egypt handing Salah a call-up was discussed in January, Jurgen Klopp addressed the issue and admitted he may have to do without Salah.
The Liverpool manager said: "The Olympics is a wonderful thing but it would not be too cool,”
"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.
"I wish we could have whole squad together for pre-season but that is not possible for different reasons."
Speaking about the situation last month, Gharib confirmed a call-up would be in Salah's hands.
The superstar was critical of the Egypt set-up after their African Cup of Nations disappointment last summer and could yet reject a chance to bolster their Olympic bid.
Gharib said: "We have to send a preliminary list of 50 players. Salah will be the first on the list as an official call-up.
"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."
The Reds are planning a change in their pre-season plans after spending the last three years in the United States.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Reds chiefs have discussed flying to Asia in July, with their new kit manufacturers, Nike, keen to capitalise on the addition of the Reds to their portfolio by encouraging them to grow their fanbase in the Far East .
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footb...rpool-21483134
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is set to be called into Egypt's Tokyo 2020 Olympic squad, their manager has confirmed.
Whilst the Olympic tournament is contested by Under-23 sides, they are able to call-up three senior players.
Egypt manager Shawky Gharib has confirmed they have settled on Salah as one of those they plan to pick.
His involvement would cause him to miss Liverpool's pre-season ahead of the 2020/21 season.
But Gharib confirmed he has yet to speak to Salah about the plans, which leaves him facing a choice between club and country.
Speaking to ON Sport, Gharib said: “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.
“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.”
When the prospect of Egypt handing Salah a call-up was discussed in January, Jurgen Klopp addressed the issue and admitted he may have to do without Salah.
The Liverpool manager said: "The Olympics is a wonderful thing but it would not be too cool,”
"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.
"I wish we could have whole squad together for pre-season but that is not possible for different reasons."
Speaking about the situation last month, Gharib confirmed a call-up would be in Salah's hands.
The superstar was critical of the Egypt set-up after their African Cup of Nations disappointment last summer and could yet reject a chance to bolster their Olympic bid.
Gharib said: "We have to send a preliminary list of 50 players. Salah will be the first on the list as an official call-up.
"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."
The Reds are planning a change in their pre-season plans after spending the last three years in the United States.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Reds chiefs have discussed flying to Asia in July, with their new kit manufacturers, Nike, keen to capitalise on the addition of the Reds to their portfolio by encouraging them to grow their fanbase in the Far East .
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footb...rpool-21483134
we do a lot of passing drills in pre-season. And probably that trust exercise where Salah has to fall backwards and Mane catches him.
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