Mohamed Salah: Tokyo 2020 decision with Liverpool and forward, says Egypt boss

Mohamed Salah could miss the start of next season for Liverpool if he goes to the Olympics

Mohamed Salah's potential involvement at Tokyo 2020 will be a decision for the player and his club Liverpool, says Egypt coach Shawky Gharib.

The forward, 27, is on Egypt's provisional 50-man list for the football tournament, which will hold its final on 8 August - the first day of the 2020-21 Premier League season.

"We cannot force Salah to participate with us," Gharib told Reuters.

The tournament is for under-23 teams but three over-age players are allowed.

Fifa has previously acknowledged that clubs are not obliged to release over-age players for the Tokyo Olympics.

Gharib added: "Salah's participation with the Pharaohs team is a decision to be taken only by Salah, his club Liverpool and his coach Jurgen Klopp.

"I have chosen him in an expanded list of 50 players. The final list of 18 players will be submitted next June."

Speaking last month Klopp said no decision had been made.

Klopp said: "Nothing really to say about it. What I have to say to Mo I will say to him and not here (in this press conference). That's all. No decision made from either side, that's all I can say.

"I wish we could have the whole squad together for pre-season which is not possible for different reasons - the Euro's coming up, Copa America again. Yes, Olympic Games - it's a wonderful tournament but would be not so cool. So far, no decision and you have to wait a little bit."

On Wednesday Salah's agent Ramy Abbas Issa tweeted: "No decision has been made yet."