Liverpool could be without Mo Salah for the start of next season after he was confirmed to be in Egypt's preliminary squad for the Tokyo Olympics.
On Sunday, Egypt's Under 23s coach Shawky Gharib said that Salah, the nation's talisman, is slated to be included as one of three over-age players.
Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawi, 32, will also feature.
"Egypt Under-23s team's preliminary squad will be led by Mohamed Salah and Mohamed El-Shennawi alongside another goalkeeper," Gharib said on Egyptian TV, as per Liverpool Echo.
Advert
"Salah is currently one of the most important players in the world and it's normal to call him for Egypt's Olympic squad.
"We will start the official talks with Liverpool after the international break next March."
The rearranged Olympics will take place between July 23 and August 8, which means Salah would miss Liverpool's pre-season preparations and then be unavailable for the start of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign.
But Liverpool have yet to be contacted regarding Salah's potential inclusion and will no doubt he hesitant to let him travel to the Japanese capital for the football tournament.
A club versus country row looks set to ensue.
Advert
Egypt still have to play catch up on Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers after games were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jurgen Klopp could also be without Salah, along with teammate Sadio Mane, in the middle of next term as the Africa Cup of Nations was rescheduled.
The event was moved on three occasions due to coronavirus and will now happen in January 2022, with Cameroon the hosts.
Advert
Mane's Senegal have already qualified from Group I, with Egypt joint-top of Group G alongside Comoros on eight points going into the final two fixtures.
Topics: Liverpool, Football, Tokyo Olympics, egypt, Mo Salah