Xherdan Shaqiri produced an eye-catching display on Sunday as a host of Liverpool’s internationals took a step towards tournament football next summer.
After tears for Sadio Mane and elation for Andy Robertson on Saturday, five more Liverpool players were in international action to round off the weekend.
Shaqiri proved the most productive, as he played a key role in Switzerland’s remarkable comeback victory over Belgium in Lucerne.
Starting in the No. 10 role, Shaqiri registered two assists as the hosts clawed back after Thorgan Hazard’s early double, first nodding down Ricardo Rodriguez’s cross for Haris Seferovic’s equaliser.
After Seferovic put the Swiss into the lead at 3-2, Shaqiri then delivered a perfect cross for Nico Elvedi to head beyond Thibaut Courtois.
A brilliant flick out wide from Shaqiri then allowed Kevin Mbabu to fizz the ball in for Seferovic to turn home for his hat-trick and a stunning victory.
Simon Mignolet was an unused substitute for Belgium, but Divock Origi, a late call-up from Roberto Martinez, was brought on in stoppage time.
Two Liverpool centre-backs were in action at Wembley as Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren started for England and Croatia respectively, but Jordan Henderson was absent after returning to Merseyside as a precaution.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was an unused substitute in a fierce tie that saw the hosts ultimately prevail, with Gomez’s long throw laying the groundwork for Jesse Lingard’s equaliser.
After the Man United midfielder cancelled out Andrej Kramaric’s opener, Harry Kane was on hand to stab home the winner to secure England’s place in the UEFA Nations League finals in Portugal in June.
Naby Keita started for Guinea in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Ivory Coast in Conakry, and played 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw, despite only recently returning from injury.
Guinea have now booked their place at next summer’s tournament in Cameroon, with Sadio Mane‘s Senegal and Mohamed Salah‘s Egypt also qualifying.
Finally, Liam Millar was a second-half sub for Canada, playing around the last 20 minutes as they beat St. Kitts-Nevis 1-0 in the CONCACAF Nations League.
Monday could see six Liverpool players in action for their national teams, most notably Virgil van Dijk and Gini Wijnaldum, who should start for the Netherlands against Germany.
Both scored in a 3-0 rout of their rivals back in October, and with the hosts already knocked out of their UEFA Nations League group it could be the chance to add insult to injury in Gelsenkirchen.
After remaining on the bench through the Republic of Ireland’s 0-0 friendly draw with Northern Ireland on Thursday, Caoimhin Kelleher‘s chances of making his debut against Denmark are slim.
But the 19-year-old can still harbour hope of featuring, after receiving a surprise call-up to the senior squad.
Adam Lewis is available as the England U20s take on Germany in their Elite League clash, while Curtis Jones is expected to start for the U18s against Belgium.
Finally, Viteszlav Jaros should take up his place between the sticks as the Czech Republic U18s take on Austria.
Fan Comments