Stuart Pearce has been speaking to talkSPORT about Liverpool and Mohamed Salah, after the Reds made a big decision.
What’s the story?
Well, Liverpool are refusing to allow the 29-year-old to compete in the Olympic Games with Egypt this summer.
Salah would miss the start of the 2021/22 season if he partook in the event, and Jürgen Klopp has seemingly put his foot down.
President of the Egyptian Football Association, Ahmed Megahed, said Salah would speak to the Reds in an attempt to persuade them.
However, Liverpool are said to be standing firm on their decision.
That is partly because they will be without their No.11 anyway during the 2021/22 campaign, due to the Africa Cup of Nations.
What has Stuart Pearce said?
While you can understand Liverpool’s decision, Stuart Pearce certainly doesn’t agree with the club’s stance.
Speaking to talkSPORT, the 59-year-old said: “If I was a manager at any club and a player came to me and said to me, ‘I want to represent my country’, I would not be selfish enough to turn around and say, ‘no’.”
Pearce has managed at the Olympic Games, leading a Great Britain side containing Daniel Sturridge at the 2012 event.
He also claims the competition will ‘blow your mind’ – that is surely the case, as there are few bigger things than the Olympic Games.
However, unless Liverpool sign a world-class forward, they cannot afford to be without Salah for the start of the season.
Losing the first few games of the Premier League season could hand Manchester City a huge advantage, even if it’s early days.
With Pep Guardiola’s side supposedly keen on Jack Grealish and Harry Kane, Liverpool can’t afford to lose their main man when their rivals are trying to add more big names.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
