EGYPT Olympic bosses expect Mo Salah to be part of the Tokyo Olympics – and will meet Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp for showdown talks.
SunSport understands Salah, 28, will be the first name on the teamsheet for the rescheduled Games in Japan.
And the Pharaohs are prepared to fly to Anfield to explain why the star striker should put country before club in 2021.
It would mean he will play throughout next summer and miss the start of the 2021-22 Premier League season.
Shawky Gharib, coach of the Egyptian Olympic National team, said: “The only and first name I put in the squad is Mohamed Salah.
“All Egyptian players would like to have the honour to play in the Olympics but all of us wanted Salah so he will be with us.
“I’m ready to put all the pressure on Liverpool to accept his participation, and I could travel to England for that.
“I remember when I was the assistant coach of the Egyptian National Team.
“I travelled to Germany to meet Jurgen Klopp and convince him to let Mohamed Zidan join the team and he accepted.
“We will use Salah of course and the Egyptian Football Federation will play a role.”
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Another complicating factor for Liverpool is that Salah would be called up for the Africa Cup of Nations if Egypt qualify.
The event in Cameroon has been moved back 12 months to January 2022.
Gharib added that they are also planning to speak with Aston Villa midfielder Trezeguet about the prospects of going to the Olympics.