16 Liverpool players on international duty during October break

The second international break of the season is upon us.

Liverpool go into the mini-break in fourth place in the Premier League with 17 points, some tough away trips ticked off, and within three points of the top of the table.

Despite the Reds taking just one point from their last two games, most fans understand that without officiating incompetence, Jurgen Klopp's side would most likely be unbeaten and joint-top of the Premier League. So there is plenty to be excited about and absolutely no reason to panic.

Unlike the last international break, the latest round of friendlies and cup qualifiers comes at a good time for the club, allowing a time to reflect on past performances and offering a new chance at starting a good run of form and gaining that all-important momentum in the lead up to Christmas.

Having already ticked off away trips to Chelsea, Newcastle and Spurs and Brighton, the fixture list beginning in just under two weeks time is much more favourable, with Liverpool expected to take close to maximum points against Everton, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Luton.

READ MORE: Liverpool's next five fixtures after the international break – assessed 

However, with most of the Reds' players out on international duty, fans will be keeping their fingers crossed everyone comes back in one piece.

Here's a rundown of which first-team stars will be involved and when they'll be in action.

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GOALKEEPERS

Alisson Becker (Brazil) – Liverpool's number one will likely be vying against Ederson for game time as Brazil take on Venezuela (Cuiabá, 13 October), before taking on Uruguay (Montevideo, 18 October) as they start the long road to Canada/USA/Mexico 2026.

DEFENDERS

Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands) – The Liverpool skipper will be involved in two UEFA Euro qualifying matches across the next twelve days as they take on France (Amsterdam, 13 October) and Greece (Athens, 16 October) in Group B.

Andy Robertson (Scotland) – The Scotland captain faces a trip to Spain (Seville, 12 October), as he looks to help his national side continue its impressive run in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, before heading to France (Villeneuve-d'Ascq, 17 October) for a friendly.

Kostas Tsimikas (Greece)  – Liverpool's backup left-back will travel to Ireland (Dublin, 13 October), before once again facing off against Van Dijk and the Netherlands (Athens, 16 October) in a pair of Group B Euro qualifiers.

Ibrahima Konate (France) – After missing out on France's last squad through injury, Konate will now join his national side as they firstly face a Euro qualifier against the Netherlands (Amsterdam, 13 October), before welcoming Robertson's Scotland (Villeneuve-d'Ascq, 17 October) to France.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (England) - Liverpool's full-back is another one who missed out on the previous international break through injury, but has been listed by Gareth Southgate as a midfielder as England face Australia (London, 13 October) in a friendly and Italy (London, 17 October) in a Euro qualifier.

Jarell Quansah (England U21s) - A fully deserved first England call-up for Quansah will see the 20-year-old play Serbia (Nottingham, 12 October) and Ukraine (Košice, 16 October) in Group F of the UEFA Euro U21 qualifiers.

MIDFIELDERS

Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) – The World Cup holders will continue their qualification route to maintaining the title with a home tie against Paraguay (Buenos Aires, 13 October), before travelling to Peru (Lima, 18 October).

Wataru Endo (Japan) – The Japan captain faces two friendly encounters at home during this international break – first taking on Canada (Niigata, 13 October) and then Tunisia (Kobe, 17 October).

Harvey Elliott (England Under-21s) – Elliott will face the same fixtures as Quansah with the England U21s.

Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary) – The Hungary captain faces a trip to Serbia (Budapest, 14 October), before taking on Lithuania (Kaunas, 17 October) in Group G of Euro qualifying.

FORWARDS

Luis Diaz (Colombia) – Diaz's Colombia will take on Darwin Nuñez's Uruguay (Barranquilla, 12 October) before continuing their World Cup 2026 qualifying with a trip to Ecuador (Quito, 18 October).

Diogo Jota (Portugal) – Having missed Liverpool last outing through suspension, Jota is included in Portugal's squad and will face Slovakia (Porto, 13 October) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Zenica, 16 October) as the national side looks to continue its perfect record in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – Egypt face Zambia (Al Ain, 12 October) and Algeria (Al Ain, 16 October) in two friendlies now that they have completed their final AFCON qualifying matches.

Darwin Nuñez (Uruguay) – Liverpool's number nine will first take on Diaz' Colombia (Barranquilla, 12 October) and then Alisson's Brazil (Montevideo, 18 October) in a pair of World Cup qualifiers.

Ben Doak (Scotland Under-21s) – Having made headlines with his Scotland Under-21s debut during the last international break, Doak has another chance to impress as his side face Hungary Under-21s (Motherwell, 13 October) and Malta Under-21s (Motherwell, 17 October).

WHO'S NOT GOING?

Of the players remaining at Liverpool during the international break, Cody Gakpo will miss out on Netherlands action due to the injury he picked up in the controversial loss at Tottenham.

Meanwhile, Ryan Gravenberch was not selected for the Dutch senior side, or Under-21s, after the furore caused by his decision to opt out of international duty last month and will also continue to train at Merseyside for the next 12 days.

As was the same for the September international break, Curtis Jones is no longer eligible for the England Under-21s as he is now officially too old for the category. However, Elliott won't be alone in his Liverpool representation, with Quansah being given his first call-up.

Joe Gomez, meanwhile, is unlucky not to have been considered by Gareth Southgate after some strong recent showings – particularly when you consider who did make the England team.

Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara will both remain in Merseyside recovering from the setbacks from their respective injuries, while Caoimhin Kelleher failed to make the Ireland squad, after it was revealed that Liverpool's back-up keeper is recovering from a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Joel Matip retired from international duty with Cameroon back in 2017 and Adrian has never represented Spain.

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