MYS
简体中文
Liverpool might not be in competitive action again for another two months, but many of Jürgen Klopp's players are currently away with their national teams either for qualifying fixtures or international friendlies.
For some of those players, they could probably do with a rest after a long season — Jordan Henderson probably falls into that category. But for others, there was a chance to either build up sharpness or stake a claim for future international appearances.Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté and Luis Díaz were all in action on Friday, and all four of the Liverpool stars were on the winning side, with their countries all also keeping clean sheets.
Earlier this week, we brought you a look at how Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister and Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo got on with Egypt, Argentina and the Netherlands respectively — you can read that piece by clicking here. And here is the latest look at how the Liverpool players have been getting on while on duty with their international sides, with England, France and Colombia all having been in action...
Gareth Southgate fielded Trent Alexander-Arnold in the center of the pitch and used him on the right-hand side of a midfield three. Wearing number 10, the Liverpool star was very impressive. He scored from the edge of the penalty area with a brilliant strike, created the opening goal with a superb pass into Bukayo Saka, created three chances in all, and completed six dribbles.
Jordan Henderson also started, fielded on the left side of the midfield three to accommodate his club teammate. He played an hour before being replaced by Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.
Like Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté will not have many easier nights. Playing against Gibraltar, France only won 3-0 thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappé, plus an own-goal. Against that caliber of opposition and with so many superstars in the team, it should have been a lot more. Konaté played 85 minutes alongside Chelsea's Wesley Fofana and completed 40 of his 41 attempted passes and three out of three aerial duels. That defensive pairing looks like a good bet for being a future World Cup-winning duo.
Colombia vs Iraq took place on Friday night — in Valencia! Luis Díaz played 74 minutes of the fixture and was the most fouled player on the pitch — a sign that his sharpness is returning. He also drew praise for one skillful dribble early in the game that saw him beat two players before finding a pass, and if he can get back to his best ahead of the start of the new campaign, that would be a massive Liverpool boost.
Colombia won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Mateo Casseira a couple of minutes after the Liverpool man went off. This was a friendly and the South American side has another friendly (the next one being against Germany) on Tuesday, which Díaz is likely to start in as well.
Source: liverpool
