English Reds overcome Smith’s Australia, Skrtel helps shock Germany – Liverpool International Roundup

May 30, 2016
Henry Jackson

Following a weekend of pre-Euro 2016 and Copa America action, we take a look at how Liverpool’s internationals fared over the last few days.

It is now less than a week (3rd June) until Copa America gets underway in the United States, while the start of Euro 2016 (10th June) also edges ever closer.

There were various Liverpool squad members trying to impress for their respective countries over the weekend, as they look to play key roles this summer.

Some fared better than others, in what was an interesting weekend of action.

English Quartet Beat Socceroos

Roy Hodgson’s England took on Australia at the Stadium of Light on Friday evening, with the Three Lions sealing a 2-1 victory.

Man United duo Marcus Rashford and Wayne Rooney scored the goals, while Eric Dier’s own goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation at the other end.

Nathaniel Clyne, Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana all began proceedings in the North East, with the Reds trio all producing solid performances.

James Milner replaced Jack Wilshere at half-time, while for the Aussies, Reds left-back Brad Smith impressed at times.

Clyne will fancy his chances of starting as England’s first-choice right-back in France this summer, while Henderson and Lallana have also been favourites of Hodgson’s in recent times.

The Three Lions face Portugal on Thursday, in their last warm-up game before the Euros.

READ MORE: England 2-1 Australia: How the Liverpool players performed

Skrtel Gets the Better of Can

World champions Germany hosted Slovakia on Sunday evening, with Joachim Low’s side the understandable favourites to win the game.

Die Mannschaft were humbled 3-1 at home, however, with Martin Skrtel captaining his side to victory in Augsburg.

Emre Can was named in Germany’s squad for the game, but the 22-year-old did not feature against his Liverpool team-mate.

Mario Gomez’s penalty gave Low’s men the lead early on in proceedings, but goals from Marek Hamsik and Michal Duris turned the game on its head before half-time.

Juraj Kucka made it 3-1 after the break, following a bad mistake by former Liverpool target Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Slovakia saw the game out with relative ease.

Skrtel’s side are in a group with England and Wales at Euro 2016, meaning he will come up against several of his fellow Reds.

The 31-year-old did not play in Friday’s 3-1 win over Georgia.

Origi & Benteke Come Off the Bench for Belgium

Highly rated Belgium made the trip to Geneva to face Switzerland on Saturday, and they earned an impressive 2-1 victory against the 10-man hosts.

A clutch of Premier League players started for Marc Wilmots’ side, including Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele, Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard.

Liverpool duo Divock Origi and Christian Benteke were both introduced late in the day, and it appears that both will have to make do with a squad role at the Euros. Origi almost scored an acrobatic effort in stoppage time.

Simon Mignolet is another who is unlikely to force his way into Wilmots’ best possible starting lineup, with Chelsea‘s Thibaut Courtois first choice in goal.

Belgium’s goals came courtesy of De Bruyne and Everton‘s Romelu Lukaku, with Switzerland initially taking the lead through Blerim Dzemaili.

Mignolet, Origi and Benteke may feature in Wednesday’s friendly at home to Finland.

Coutinho Features Prominently in Brazil Win

Brazil continued their preparations for Copa America with a routine victory against a very limited Panama side on Sunday.

The match, held at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Denver, was extremely one-sided, and Philippe Coutinho shone from the start.

The 23-year-old was a constant source of creativity in the Selecao side, and he missed two good opportunities to score in the first half.

Goals from Jonas and Gabriel were enough to see Dunga’s men register a straightforward win, though, and attention now turns to their Copa America opener against Peru on Saturday.