International Reds Report: It’s good news!

We know this has seemed like the longest international break of all time with Reds fans waiting anxiously hoping not to hear of any injuries to Liverpool players. The good news is that generally Liverpool players have come away from playing for their countries unscathed.

With the Reds’ next Premier League match on Saturday afternoon against Fulham at Craven Cottage, it was vital that no injuries were picked up as Rafa Benitez‘s men look to further their assault on the title.

And there’s more good news ‘“ our players hit the headlines for the countries, hopefully giving them a big confidence boost in time for the final eight games of the domestic campaign.

Xabi Alonso and Albert Riera scored for Spain in their dramatic 2-1 victory over Turkey at the Atarturk Stadium, Istanbul. Riera’s strike came deep into injury time to give the Spaniards three points in the World Cup Qualifier.

Striker Fernando Torres also played 85 minutes of the game, replaced by David Guiza towards the end, and no injury problems to report.

Steven Gerrard played a massive part in England’s fortunes last night as they beat Ukraine 2-1 at Wembley Stadium. Gerrard set up John Terry’s 84th minute winner for the English as they made is 5 wins out of 5 in their World Cup Qualifying group.

On-loan striker Andriy Voronin started for the Ukrainians on his return to England.

Dirk Kuyt scored twice as Holland impressively beat Macedonia 4-0. It was Kuyt’s third goal for his country in a matter of days. Kuyt came off after 81 minutes unhurt, and Ryan Babel featured as a second half substitute for the Dutch. Babel had several opportunities to score, but was kept at bay by outstanding keeping from Tome Pacovski in the Macedonian goal.

Yossi Benayoun, who was stretchered off during Israel’s defeat to Greece at the weekend, came on the second half of another defeat to the Greeks last night in Crete. The winger looks to have recovered from injury after being out for three games for Liverpool. However, his choice to play for his country despite his club’s wishes may put him in Rafa Benitez‘s bad books.

Daniel Agger played the full 90 minutes of Denmark’s 3-0 victory over Albania. Sami Hyypia did not play for Finland after picking up an injury at the weekend, although it is thought he will be fit and available for Liverpool on Saturday.

Javier Mascherano who had a torrid time at Bolivia’s high-altitude stadium. His Argentina side went down 6-1 to the Bolivians, their worst defeat in 60 years. It may also be worth mentioning that Manchester Utd’s Carlos Tevez also played the exhausting game. Utd have a striker crisis for their game against Aston Villa on Sunday, with Dimitar Berbatov injured and Wayne Rooney suspended.

Martin Skrtel on international duty. After being given the run-around somewhat by England on Saturday, he scored an own goal for Slovakia against Czech Republic last night.