Klopp To Hold Talks With Salah Over Olympic Games Participation
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says star man Mohamed Salah’s participation at next year’s summer Olympic games will have to be discussed by both parties.
Egypt qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after making the final of the Africa U-23 Championship, where they defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 after extra-time to emerge victors.
Egypt are planning to include Salah as part of three overaged players allowed in the team.
A 20-year-old Salah was in Egypt’s travelling party for the London 2012 Olympics where they were eliminated in the quarterfinal stage by Japan.
The games will begin on July 24 and conclude on August 9, close to the start of the 2020/2021 season, and Klopp is concerned Salah might not have enough rest before the start of the season.
While Salah is yet to confirm his participation, Klopp wants an agreement to be reached before he will be allowed to go.
"I have no idea [what will happen]," said Klopp.
"There are some problems I know in the future, this I know from an hour ago that Egypt have qualified for the Olympics.
"I have to speak to Mo. I don’t know if I do it today, or whenever.
"Who said they want him? Do they have a manager who said it?”
Salah, who has scored six goals in 11 league games this season, is doubtful for Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace with an ankle injury and Klopp has provided an update on his fitness.
"It is from the Leicester game," he added.
"It was getting better and better and then…it is good but it was after the [City] game again, another tackle (from Fernandinho), it flared up again.
"It is not serious but in the short period we have to let it settle it is always tight for the game.
"We will see. He trained completely yesterday, a full session, but we have to see how he reacted.”
