Jurgen Klopp expects to reap the benefits of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane's break from international duty when Liverpool resume their Premier League campaign against Newcastle United.
With Egypt having eschewed the opportunity to play any September friendlies and Senegal taking part in the Africa Nations Championship - a competition solely for domestic players - both men were given time off from representing their countries over the last two weeks.
While Klopp insists he is always happy for his players to report for national team duty, he acknowledged that the increased risk of injury or fatigue can sometimes provide him with a headache.
And so he has enjoyed an international break in which he has been able to get two of his star men a rest when they might otherwise have been travelling the world.
“They are all difficult. They are always in very intense periods. I don’t think I experienced a difference between the international breaks," the German said.
“You need to be lucky there, that everybody comes back healthy. You have no influence on that. Then you can start again.
“We are used to that. We have more and more players on international duty, the players, even the young boys, are all over the world, and that’s a challenge for all of us – not only us.
“It was perfect for the boys who didn’t have to go. I’m always happy for the boys being named for their national teams, it’s a big honour and very nice, but if you see the players who didn’t go this time, then everything is different.
“It’s a very intense period, and to have five or six days off in this time is important. The boys trained, but they didn’t need to be here to do proper football sessions. The more often we can do something like this, the better for the boys because they not only feel refreshed, they are refreshed. Hopefully we can use that.”
Liverpool will likely need Salah and Mane at their best when they come up against a Newcastle side whose form has improved following a shaky start to life under Steve Bruce.
Asked about the Englishman's reign thus far, Klopp added: “Good. Really difficult summer break with Rafa leaving. For Steve, for sure a difficult job following after Rafa. He did fantastic so far. Close games and good results.
“They are very difficult to play. They kept pretty much the style of last year, with Rondon replaced by Joelinton. If they are looking for a player who plays similar to Rondon, perfect choice to be honest!
“He can keep the ball, proper threat, has the speed. Wings are quick, five at the back is difficult to create chances against, they have the speed for counter-attacks.
“They defend with a big heart, with good organisation. That’s what we have to prepare for and we did. It will not be easy, like people expect. I am really impressed by the solutions they found.”
