Several Liverpool players could be in action for their countries this week as international football once again comes barging into the domestic season like it owns the place.
It’s friendlies this week, before UEFA’s initiative to have football on EVERY DAY begins with Euro 2016 qualifiers starting this weekend and running each night into next week.
Were Michel Platini and co. on the bevvies the day that decision was made?
Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Daniel Sturridge and Rickie Lambert could all play some part for Roy Hodgson’s England in their underwhelming friendly against Norway at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday night.
Kick-off is 8pm and it’s live on ITV 1 from 7:30pm, but you’re probably going to get as much intelligent pre-match insight from watching Ultimate Police Interceptors on Channel 5.
A better bet altogether might be watching Germany v Argentina — a “re-match of the World Cup Final”. Unfortunately that’s a marketing gimmick to try and entice you to watch it, rather than a literal statement. BT Sport 1 has that from 8pm on Wednesday night.
Where were we? Sterling et al then go to Switzerland on Monday night (ITV 1 7:45pm) where we hope Philip Degen makes an unlikely appearance.
Simon Mignolet may get a rare game in a Belgium shirt if Marc Wilmots rests Thibaut Courtois for their friendly against Australia. That’s a warm up for Tuesday’s qualifier away to Israel. Something about Yossi Benayoun.
Dejan Lovren could play for Croatia against Cyprus on Thursday, before a home qualifier against Malta on Sunday.
Joe Allen‘s Wales face Andorra away next Tuesday (Sky Sports 5, 7.45pm), whilst Emre Can could play for Germany’s Under-21 side in their qualifiers against Ireland (Thursday) and Romania (Monday).
Philippe Coutinho is at long last in the Brazil squad. Dunga’s side play Colombia in a friendly in Miami on Friday and then Ecuador in New Jersey on Tuesday (good to see it’s not just the English FA that don’t give a toss about fans).
Mamadou Sakho will come head to head against Lazar Markovic when France play Serbia on Sunday, but not before a friendly against Spain on Thursday night.
But don’t forget it’s Non-League Day in Britain this weekend — get down to your nearest club and support football.
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