Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp had reason to be pleased with the performances of his internationals during the recent break. With one player named Man of the Match, another rested, and Joe Gomez making a long-awaited return, it seems that Liverpool’s players have fared well on the international stage.
It is always a nerve-wracking time for clubs when their players leave for international duty, as they hope for their safe return without any injuries. Fortunately for Liverpool, so far, the news has been positive.
Only two of Klopp’s players featured for their national teams on Saturday. Caoimhin Kelleher started for Ireland, while Gomez came off the bench for England at Wembley. For Gomez, this marked the end of a 1,322-day wait for an appearance with the Three Lions. His last game was in August 2020. Coming on as a substitute for Ben Chilwell at left-back, Gomez had a solid performance, winning both tackles and duels he contested. With Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson watching from the stands, Gomez showed his versatility and could be in contention for his first international start in almost four years when England faces Belgium in their final friendly.
Meanwhile, Kelleher had an impressive outing for Ireland. The 25-year-old goalkeeper kept a clean sheet as Ireland held Belgium to a 0-0 draw. Kelleher’s performances at Liverpool have earned him the No. 1 role of late, and he carried that form into the international stage. He was crowned FotMob’s Man of the Match, thanks to two important saves he made during the game. Kelleher’s rise at Liverpool has given him a chance to shine on the international level, and he expressed his desire to continue playing as many games as possible and cement his place in the team.
On a positive note, there was good news concerning Ibrahima Konate. The center-back, who has been dealing with a muscle injury, was able to train with the French national side during the break. Although he didn’t feature in their match against Germany, Klopp will have been relieved to see him go unused. Konate missed the three games leading up to the international break, and as Liverpool faces a hectic schedule upon their return to domestic action, they cannot afford any setbacks for the Frenchman.
All in all, it has been a successful international break for Liverpool. Their players have performed well, with Kelleher and Gomez making significant contributions to their respective national teams. With no major injuries reported and positive performances from key players, Klopp will be hoping for a seamless transition back to club football. Liverpool’s final international game against Chile will hopefully see all players return unharmed and ready to continue their domestic campaign.