The main news to emerge from this week’s international break was Joe Gomez’s serious knee injury while with the England squad.
That has left Liverpool short of options at the back, and things went from bad to worse as the Egyptian Football Association confirmed Mohamed Salah had tested positive for Covid-19.
There were, though, some more positive outcomes as several Liverpool players took to the pitch for their respective countries. Naby Keita and Gini Wijnaldum were in the goals, and Andy Robertson helped Scotland qualify for Euro 2020.
Sadio Mane - Senegal
As influential as ever for his country, Mane scored twice in Senegal’s double-header against Guinea-Bissau.
The victories mean Senegal have now qualified for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.
Naby Keita - Guinea
Guinea moved closer to qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations, helped by the performances of Keita in a more advanced role.
The 25-year-old midfielder effectively played as a forward in his side’s 1-1 draw against Chad, scoring Guinea’s only goal in the first half.
Gini Wijnaldum - Netherlands
Wijnaldum wasted no time in making an impact for the Netherlands on Saturday, scoring two quickfire goals in a 3-1 Nations League win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Dutchman was given more licence to push forward in a midfield three alongside Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and former Everton man Davy Klaassen.
Roberto Firmino - Brazil
He might be struggling for goals in the Premier League this season, but Firmino had no such problems for Brazil on Friday.
The striker netted from close range to give Tite’s side a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Venezuela in Sao Paulo.
Alisson Becker was also in Brazil’s squad, but remained an unused substitute.
Diogo Jota - Portugal
Jota, who has been in prolific form for Liverpool since his summer move from Wolves, couldn’t quite replicate that form for Portugal in a 1-0 Nations League defeat against France.
The 23-year-old was introduced as a second-half substitute but couldn’t add to his three goals in a Portugal shirt.
Xherdan Shaqiri - Switzerland
Still only 29, Shaqiri racked up an impressive 85th Switzerland cap in a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Spain in the Nations League.
Andy Robertson - Scotland
Robertson played a big part in Scotland’s dramatic victory over Serbia in their Euro 2020 qualification play-off final.
Lining up as a left wing-back in Steve Clarke’s 3-5-2 system, the Liverpool man was typically energetic and industrious in wide areas. And he was at the centre of the jubilant celebrations when David Marshall saved the decisive penalty in the shootout.
Takumi Minamino - Japan
Opportunities have been limited for Minamino so far this season, but he is still a key player for Japan.
The 25-year-old forward scored from the penalty spot on Friday to give his team a 1-0 friendly victory over Panama.
Jordan Henderson - England
The Liverpool captain was given a brief outing by Gareth Southgate, starting in the Nations League defeat against Belgium on Sunday night but taken off at half-time.
Totteham’s Harry Winks replaced Henderson, but could do nothing to prevent England’s defeat.
