The World Cup kicks off at the Mexico City Stadium this evening as hosts Mexico take on South Africa. There are several Premier League talents looking to have their hands on the trophy in one month’s time, with a lot of Liverpool players hoping to achieve the ultimate prize.
In 2022, Argentina would go on to beat Ibrahima Konate’s France on penalties in Qatar. While none on at that stage was a Red for La Albiceleste, Alexis Mac Allister would move to Anfield just a few months later from Brighton, after an incredible World Cup campaign. The 2018 World Cup also saw Reds defender Dejan Lovren reach the final with Croatia before they crumbled to a 4-2 defeat to France.
With the tournament officially kicking off in just a few short hours, here is a look at current Liverpool players representing their countries at this World Cup. A huge meeting in Group F, which sees three countries being represented by someone from the Merseyside outfit.
Alisson – Brazil (Group C)
The first match that will feature a Reds player takes place on Saturday evening as five-time World champions, Brazil, take on Morocco. Despite only returning to Arne Slot’s squad on the final day after two months out, he’s ready for the tournament. Carlo Ancelotti has taken former Manchester City keeper Ederson, though Alisson remains the number one.
The furthest the shotstopper has reached with his country at the World Cup is the quarter-final stage. In 2018, they were shot down by Belgium, while in 2022, they lost on penalties to Croatia. However, after Morocco they take on new faces in Haiti and Scotland to round out Group C.
Florian Wirtz – Germany (Group E)
While his magic has been questioned as a Liverpool player, it hasn’t on international duty. He is the centre piece to their attacking nature under Julian Nagelsmann, who wants to relive their 2014 success. They kick off their tournament in Houston against Curacao on Sunday evening.
If Germany are to succeed, they will need the best from the 22-year-old. Who, when representing Die Mannschaft, has shown his quality time and time again. To round out the group, they play the Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Virgil Van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch – Netherlands (Group F)
The country with the most players from the Anfield outfit is the Netherlands, who went toe-to-toe with Argentina in the quarter finals of the 2022 World Cup. For the Liverpool captain, this could be his final time playing for his country on this stage, as he turns 35 before the final. However, fellow teammate, Jeremie Frimpong, didn’t receive a call-up, being left out for Denzel Dumfries.
They play their first match a few hours after the Germans against Japan, before meeting with Sweden and Tunisia. On that Sunday evening, it looks like the trio will feature against one of the Reds cult heroes in Arlington.
Wataru Endo – Japan (Group F)
When Liverpool met Sunderland back in February, Endo limped off the pitch after suffering a serious issue with his ankle, and it would be his final game of the season. As the tournament is set to begin, the 33-year-old is fighting against the clock.
He has trained separately from the first team as he still looks to fully recover from his ankle injury. After their clash with the Netherlands, they face Tunisia and then Sweden. In one of Japan’s strongest ever sides, they will be hoping for success in this tournament.
Alexander Isak – Sweden (Group F)
There were fears from a few Liverpool supporters that Isak would be included in Graham Potter’s World Cup squad. The former Newcastle forward has yet to look fully up to speed in a Red shirt, as there was hope he’d have a full pre-season. Instead, he has been chosen, though he will battle Viktor Gyokeres for the main striker role.
Sweden take on Tunisia in the early hours of Monday morning in Mexico, before meeting his teammates, with the first game against the Netherlands, followed by a meeting with Japan. This is a real test for the £125 million striker, before a fresh start at Anfield.
Alexis Mac Allister – Argentina (Group J)
Despite a tough campaign in England, Mac Allister will be hopeful of another success at the World Cup. The current World champions have a relatively easy group compared to the star power they possess. There tournament begins in six days time as they take on Algeria in Kansas City.
After that, they take on Austria, before a game with Jordan. The Liverpool midfielder will be linking up with Lionel Messi, which is expected to be his final World Cup. Not many players can claim they are a two time World Cup winner, though this could be a possibility for Mac Allister.
