Arne Slot handed double Liverpool pre-season boost as Olympic decisions 'confirmed'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 03 July 2024

Double boost for Arne Slot as key Liverpool men 'to miss' 2024 Olympics

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo are reportedly set to be available for the Reds' entire pre-season schedule as they will not be heading to the Olympics.

Newly-appointed Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has reportedly received a double boost with the news that two of his key players will not be representing their countries at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The former Feyenoord boss has officially begun his role at Anfield, stepping into the shoes of the revered Jurgen Klopp following the German's glittering nine-year reign at the helm.

Slot's pre-season preparations at Liverpool have already been harmed by Euro 2024 and the Copa America, which will see a plethora of players return late from their international commitments.

The likes of Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz to name but a few are all away with their countries, and following the conclusion of the continental tournaments, the Olympic Games takes precedence.

The men's tournament in Paris runs from July 24 to August 9, leaving Premier League managers at risk of missing some players for the entirety of pre-season before the 2024-25 campaign kicks off on August 16.

Egypt's Mohamed Salah reacts on January 7, 2024 © Reuters

Mohamed Salah, Wataru Endo 'set to miss Olympics'

However, Slot will not have to worry about that for Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Japan's Wataru Endo, as The Athletic reports that neither will be present at the 2024 Games this summer.

Countries are permitted to call up three players over the age of 23 for their Olympic squads, and both the Egyptian and Japanese FAs had apparently discussed including the senior Liverpool duo in their plans.

Japan's final squad was released on Wednesday, but there was no sign of midfielder Endo, who is therefore confirmed to be remaining on Merseyside for the pre-season period.

The former Stuttgart man came into his own at Liverpool during his debut campaign, scoring two goals and setting up one more in 43 appearances and ending the season with an EFL Cup winners' medal around his neck.

Meanwhile, Egypt are yet to announce their final Olympics squad, and there had been confusion over whether Salah would be called up after he was forced to cut his Africa Cup of Nations campaign short earlier this year due to injury.

Japan midfielder Wataru Endo pictured in December 2022 © Reuters

However, the report adds that Salah will also not be travelling to Paris following talks with the club, who do not have to let players join up with their countries for the Olympics as it is not a FIFA-sanctioned competition.

In addition to Salah and Endo, young Spanish midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has not been summoned to represent La Roja either, having been restricted to just six appearances last season due to injury.

Who will Liverpool face in pre-season?

A triple-header in the United States awaits Slot for his first pre-season in charge, which begins with a clash with Real Betis at the Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on July 26, five days before they take on Arsenal in Philadelphia.

The Reds will then conclude their transatlantic tour against fierce rivals Manchester United in Columbia on August 3, before returning to Anfield to battle Spanish giants Sevilla on August 11.

Slot's first competitive match in charge of the club comes on August 17, as Liverpool begin their new Premier League campaign away to promoted Ipswich Town in a lunchtime kickoff.