Tokyo 2020

Liverpool handed Mohamed Salah boost

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 21 November 2020

Liverpool are handed a boost with the news that Egypt will not select Mohamed Salah for next year's Olympic Games without their approval.

Liverpool will seemingly have to give approval for Egypt to select Mohamed Salah for next summer's Olympic Games.

At a time when the winger has recently tested positive for coronavirus while on international duty, his future appearances for his country during the pandemic have been left in doubt.

The subject of his participation at the Olympic Games and Africa Cup Of Nations has also been discussed, with both competitions potentially causing disruption at Liverpool.

However, Egypt Under-23s boss Shawky Gharib has suggested that Salah is likely to be excluded from his squad for the competition in Tokyo.

Speaking to MBC Maser, Gharib said: "We will speak with Liverpool in March. We haven't discussed the issue with the player yet.

"The problem is that the AFCON will be played a few months after the Olympics, but the latter will end and the Premier League will start three days after. But we can't call up Salah unless Liverpool approve."

Salah represented Egypt at London 2012, something which may play in Liverpool's favour if they look to convince their star man to remain on Merseyside.