Some good news. Roberto Firmino won’t be called up by Brazil for the Olympics in August, meaning he’ll be available for the start of the season.
The 24-year-old could have been one of Brazil’s three permitted over-age players in their 18-man squad, but coach Rogerio Micale has named five overage players in his provisional squad, with Firmino not among them.
Philippe Coutinho also isn’t named, having been in the Brazil squad that was eliminated in the group stages of the Copa America Centenario in the USA this summer.
Micale has named Thiago Silva, Neymar, Willian, Douglas Costa and Fernando Prass in his provisional squad.
This is, of course, great news for Liverpool who will have their two Brazilians in place for a full pre-season and the start of the new season in August.
One player who may not be available though and could head to the Olympics with his country is new signing Loris Karius.
The 22-year-old German is among the candidates to be named in their squad to face Mexico, Fiji and South Korea.
The football at the Olympics begins on August 3rd, with the final on August 20th, meaning any player taking part would miss the first two opening games – against Arsenal and Burnley – and possibly return for the third game, at Tottenham on August 27th.
If Karius is called up, that would mean Simon Mignolet gets to start the campaign in goal for the Reds.
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