The second away break of the season is here.
Liverpool goes into the mini-break in fourth place in the Premier League with 17 points, hard away games and three points from the top of the table.
Although the Reds have taken just one point from their last two games, most fans understand that Jurgen Klopp’s side would probably be unbeaten and top of the Premier League if it weren’t for the incompetence of the referees. So there is enthusiasm and there is no reason to panic.
Unlike the last international break, the final friendlies and cup qualifiers come at the right time for the club, giving them time to reflect on past performances and another chance to build on their form and gain that vital momentum. Before Christmas Trips to Chelsea, Newcastle, Spurs and Brighton have already been booked, so the schedule starting in less than two weeks is much more affordable, with Liverpool expected to close in on maximum points against Everton, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Luton.
Most of the Reds players are overseas though, so fans are crossing their fingers that they all come back in one piece.
Here’s a rundown of which first-team stars are playing and when they’re playing.
Goalkeepers
Alisson Becker (Brazil) – Liverpool No.1 is likely to battle for playing time with Ederson when Brazil face Venezuela (Cuiabá, October 13) before Uruguay (Montevideo, October 18) as they begin the long journey Canada/ the united states /Mexico 2026.
Defenders
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands) – The Liverpool captain will feature in two UEFA EURO qualifiers over the next 12 days when they face France (Amsterdam, October 13) and Greece (Athens, October 16) in Group B. Andy Robertson (Scotland) – The Scotland captain faces a trip to Spain (Seville, October 12) as he looks to help his country continue their impressive run in the Euro 2024 qualifiers before heading to France (Villeneuve-d’Ascq, October 17) . friendly
Kostas Tsimikas (Greece) – The Liverpool left-back travels to Ireland (Dublin, October 13) before reuniting with Van Dijk in the Netherlands (Athens, October 16) in the Group B qualifiers.
Ibrahima Konate (France) – After missing out on France’s latest squad due to injury, Konate will now join his national team for their first Euro qualifier against the Netherlands (Amsterdam, October 13) and then Robertson’s Scotland (Villeneuve-d ‘Ascq). October 17) to France.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (England) – The Liverpool full-back is another player who missed the previous international break through injury, but Gareth Southgate has named him in midfield when England face Australia in a friendly (London, 13 October). Italy (London, October 17) in the European Championship qualifier.
Jarell Quansah (England U21) – a fully deserved first England call-up for Quansah sees the 20-year-old play in UEFA Euro U21 qualifiers in Group F against Serbia (Nottingham, October 12) and Ukraine (Košice, 16- an of October). )
. Attackers
Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) – The World Cup holders continue their qualification journey to retain their title with a home game against Paraguay (Buenos Aires, October 13) before traveling to Peru (Lima, October 18).
Wataru Endo (Japan) – The Japanese captain faces two friendlies at home this international break, first against Canada (Niigata, October 13) and then Tunisia (Kobe, October 17).
Harvey Elliott (England Under-21s) – Elliott is expected to match the same matches as Quansah with England Under-21s.
Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary) – The Hungarian captain has a trip to Serbia (Budapest, October 14) before facing Lithuania (Kaunas, October 17) in Group G of the European Championship qualifiers.
Those not going
Luis Diaz (Colombia) – Diaz’s Colombia face Darwin Nuñez’s Uruguay (Barranquilla, October 12) before continuing their 2026 World Cup qualifier trip to Ecuador (Quito, October 18). Diogo Jota (Portugal) – Jota will not be available for Liverpool’s next game. Jota is in Portugal’s squad to face Slovakia (Porto, October 13) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Zenica, October 16) as the national team look to continue their perfect record at the European Championships. 2024 eligibility.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – Egypt will face Zambia (Al Ain, October 12) and Algeria (Al Ain, October 16) in two friendlies now after the final AFCON qualifiers.
Darwin Nuñez (Uruguay) – Liverpool’s number nine faces Diaz’s Colombia (Barranquilla, October 12) and then Alisson’s Brazil (Montevideo, October 18) in World Cup qualifying.
Ben Doak (Scotland Under-21s) – Headlining his debut for Scotland Under-21s during the last international break, Doak will have another chance to impress when his side face Hungary Under-21s (Motherwell, October 13) and Malta Under. – 21 years old. (Motherwell, October 17).
WHO IS NOT GOING? Of the players who left Liverpool for the international break, Cody Gakpo will miss the Netherlands due to an injury he picked up in the controversial defeat at Tottenham.
Ryan Gravenberch, meanwhile, has not been selected for the Netherlands’ senior or under-21 squads following the furore over his decision to retire from international duty last month and will continue to train on Merseyside for the next 12 days.
As he did during the international break in September, Curtis Jones is no longer eligible for England Under-21s as he is officially too old for that grade. However, Elliott is not alone in his Liverpool squad as Quansah gets the first call-up.
Joe Gomez, on the other hand, will be lucky not to be overlooked by Gareth Southgate after some recent strong performances – especially considering who made the England squad. Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara will both remain on Merseyside to recover from injuries, while Caoimhin Kelleher has been left out of the Ireland squad after it was revealed the Liverpool back-up is recovering from a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Joel Matip retired from international duty with Cameroon in 2017 and Adrian has never represented Spain. .
