International Break: Every Hope and Prayer Going | OneFootball

International Break: Hopes and Prayers for Liverpool

Christ, I despise them. The international break—a time when the world’s top footballers depart to represent their countries, leaving club managers like Arne Slot holding their breath. With most of Liverpool’s stars away, it’s a tense period for the club. While the majority of the squad is off playing crucial international fixtures, a select few are staying behind. For Liverpool, this break offers very few positives, but there are some glimmers of hope in the form of fitness work and rest for key players.

Chiesa’s Absence: A Model Decision

Luciano Spalletti’s recent comments on Federico Chiesa’s omission from the Italy squad shed light on the kind of decisions players and managers must make during this intense period. Spalletti revealed, “Chiesa and I spoke and made a fair assessment. I would have brought him as an extra player, not participating in the games. He told me that he had spoken to his new club and that he needs to do specific preparation work with them.” This decision is significant, particularly as Chiesa has had little to no pre-season with Juventus. It’s a rare instance where a player’s self-awareness and foresight take precedence over the allure of international duty. This kind of decision is precisely what Liverpool fans might hope for, especially when the squad is set to be tested and injuries can quickly derail a season.

Nunez’s Suspension: A Blessing in Disguise?

Meanwhile, Darwin Núñez faces a five-game suspension in the World Cup Qualifiers (WCQ), coupled with a hefty $20K fine. This situation, while unfortunate for Uruguay, might be a silver lining for Liverpool. Núñez’s suspension keeps him from the rigorous demands of international play, allowing him to focus on training and fitness. Even if he decides to take a short break, as some players do during such suspensions, the risk of injury is effectively zero. This could give him a chance to prove his worth to Slot, showing that he deserves a starting place when the Premier League resumes.

Photo: IMAGO

Curtis Jones: Time to Rebuild Fitness

Another player staying behind is Curtis Jones. Having missed the last two matches due to a minor injury, Jones has not played a single minute so far this season. For Jones, this break is crucial. It offers him the time to recover fully, work on his fitness, and reintegrate into the squad. A fit and ready Curtis Jones could be a vital asset for Liverpool as the season progresses, especially with the grueling schedule that awaits the team. He’d have probably been a key sub at Old Trafford and he’ll be needed for September no doubts.

Major Stars on International Duty

However, the rest of Liverpool’s key players are not so fortunate. Cody Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch, and Virgil van Dijk are all with the Netherlands, set to face Bosnia-Herzegovina on September 7 in Eindhoven and Germany on September 10 in Amsterdam. Diogo Jota’s Portugal has a tough fixture against Croatia in Lisbon on September 5, followed by a home clash with Scotland featuring both Ben Doak and Andy Robertson on September 8. The Scots also face Poland at Hampden Park on September 5. Ibrahima Konate will be representing France in home games against Italy on September 6 and Belgium on September 9. Dominik Szoboszlai’s Hungary has matches against Germany in Dusseldorf on September 7 and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Budapest on September 10.

These players are not just participating; they’re playing critical roles in their respective national teams. The risk of fatigue, or worse, injury, looms large. Arne Slot will undoubtedly be praying that these stars return unscathed, ready to take on the challenges of the Premier League. When everything is going well, we know what’s happened in international breaks before.

Slot’s Concerns: A Squad Under Pressure

With so many of Liverpool’s top players away, the international break presents more of a headache than an opportunity. Slot will be acutely aware that a single injury could spell disaster, especially with the depth of the squad already tested early in the season. If we could we’d want Ruben Peeters with every international squad, but some things just aren’t possible. It’s a case of sitting, waiting, wishing for something that no-one wants after the Copa America and Euros to be over. Did I mention I despise them?