A number of Liverpool stars were on international duty for various nations around the globe this week, here’s how they got on…
Emre Can got his first two starts for world champions Germany in victories against Poland (3-1) and Scotland (3-2). He drew praise from manager Joachim Low and some of his more experienced colleagues, playing the entire 90 minutes of each game at right-back (See, he can play there).
For England, James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne both started in the back-to-back victories over San Marino and Switzerland that secured the Three Lions’ passage to Euro 2016. Joe Gomez and Jordon Ibe both also started for the England Under-21s in two 1-0 wins against their Norwegian and American counterparts.
Liverpool’s Belgian contingent of Divock Origi, Christian Benteke and Simon Mignolet couldn’t affect their team’s games. Benteke missed their 3-1 victory over Bosnia through injury, returning to fitness only to be substituted at half-time as the Belgians struggled to break down Cyprus before winning 1-0. He was replaced at half-time by Liverpool teammate Origi, who also appeared as a late substitute against Bosnia but couldn’t get himself a goal. Mignolet was an unused substitute in both.
Centre-back partners Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel were both winless for Croatia and Slovakia respectively. Lovren was part of a side that kept a clean sheet during a goalless draw in Azerbaijan to go top of their group, before being an unused sub during a 2-0 defeat in Norway which saw them drop to third. Skrtel missed Slovakia’s 2-0 defeat away to Spain due to suspension, before returning for the 0-0 draw at home to Ukraine.
Away from the competitive games, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho both played for ‘La Selecao’ in friendly games victories against Costa Rica and USA. Coutinho came on as a sub 65th minute sub against Costa Rica and Firmino did the same against the States at half-time; both impressed during their cameos as Brazil won 1-0 and 4-1.
So, thankfully, no injuries to disrupt the Reds next set of fixtures. And that’s all we really care about isn’t it?
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