The Egyptian FA have confirmed that Liverpool blocked Mohamed Salah from representing his country at this summer's Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Football clubs are under no obligation to release their players and allow them to participate in the Olympics, as the matches are not on the official FIFA calendar.
The competition is set to end on August 7, exactly one week before Liverpool kick off their 2021-22 Premier League campaign, and Jurgen Klopp is said to be keen to give Salah a full pre-season.
Egypt FA president Ahmed Megahed told BBC Sport: "We started talking with them a long time ago because Salah wanted to play the Olympics but Liverpool were unclear. I knew in June they would not let him go. Anyway we respect their decision."
Manager Shawky Gharib added: "I tried many, many times with Liverpool, as did the Egypt FA, to persuade them to let Salah be a part of the Olympic team but they refused completely.
"Mohamed wanted to play the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. He talked with me, I did my best to bring him. Salah was a key player in my Olympic plans. But the club refused - we need to move on."
Salah made his senior Egypt debut in 2011 and has gone on to score 43 goals in 69 caps for his country.
Sammy Wynne
