Liverpool fans were disappointed to hear that Mohamed Salah could miss pre-season and the start of the Premier League season due to the 2020 Olympics.
Egypt U23 manager Shawky Garib has confirmed that the winger will be representing his national side in the Olympics this summer per ON Sport (via Anfield Edition). This could see the 27-year-old winger miss a significant portion of the Reds pre-season as well as potentially the first game of the new season, with the tournament set to run from July 24th until August 9th.
Salah has been key for Jurgen Klopp’s side so far this season; contributing 14 goals and six assists in the Premier League; which has seen him average an impressive 7.50 rating. It would be a blow for Klopp if he were to be without the Egyptian for the start of the season, but they would presumably have lots of players available to fill in, as well as any players which the Merseyside club could sign in the summer transfer window.
Do you think Salah will play in the Olympics for Egypt?
Yes
No
Reaction from Liverpool fans to the news on Salah can be seen in the tweets below.
Liverpool should come first!
— janparker (@JanParker10) February 12, 2020
Will probably miss first 2 weeks depending on when he can get out of Tokyo. Selfishly hoping for an early exit for Egypt #LFC
— LFC Central (@LFCCentral1) February 12, 2020
just sell him next summer. will also miss because of the african cup in jan 2021
— fran (@prolificLFC) February 12, 2020
Olympics isn’t professional so why should they be allowed to take him.
— Modio Sane (@ModioSane) February 12, 2020
Time to retire from international football
— Peter Clinton (@clinton_pedro) February 12, 2020
Then let’s wrap this league up quickly so he can have some time to rest
— From with (@PTisking) February 12, 2020
You@must be kidding
— Keeg (@KeeganLMoyer) February 12, 2020
Some of these Liverpool fans are clearly not too happy with the news on Salah and will be hoping that he doesn’t make himself available for the Olympics.
What do we think?
Salah is obviously a very important player for Liverpool, with the £135 million rated man having contributed 89 goals in 137 appearances for the Reds, but Klopp will surely be able to cope without the Egyptian for the first few games if he is selected for the Olympics.