Liverpool could be without Mohamed Salah and Brazilian trio Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino and Fabinho for a number of key games in the coming weeks as a major club-versus-country headache looms.
FIFA earlier this year ended the temporary exemption rule allowing clubs to prevent players being released for international duty should travel restrictions be imposed or there be a mandatory period of quarantine or self-isolation of at least five days on their return.
Alisson, Firmino and Fabinho have all been called up for the squad for Brazil's trio of World Cup qualifiers against Chile, Argentina and Peru next month.
With the final game against Peru not taking place until 1.30am UK time on Friday, September 10, there were already fears the trio would not be back in time for Liverpool's trip to Leeds United on Sunday, September 12, which kicks off at 4.30pm.
But it has now emerged the combination of FIFA reverting to their regular ruling of clubs being compelled to release players for national team duty, along with current UK Government travel restrictions, means Jurgen Klopp could be without his Brazilian contingent for a number of games in a worst case scenario.
Brazil is at present on the Government red list, meaning anyone arriving from the country faces a 10-day hotel quarantine.
That would mean Alisson, Firmino and Fabinho would miss not only Liverpool's trip to Leeds United, but also their first Champions League group game and the home clash with Crystal Palace on September 18, while also threatening involvement in the League Cup third round.
Salah, meanwhile, has been included in the Egypt squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Angola and Gabon.
The first game is in Egypt, which like Brazil is on the travel red list, meaning Salah would also have to hotel quarantine on his return but due to the earlier dates of Egypt's fixtures he could be available for the Champions League opener.
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Brazil and Egypt each have a further two games in October. And should current restrictions remain in place, any Liverpool players called up would then be in danger of missing the trip to Watford, the third Champions League group game and even the visit to Manchester United.
Liverpool are among many Premier League clubs monitoring what continues to be an ongoing situation, with restrictions and conditions constantly changing.
A number of elite sports events, such as Euro 2020, Wimbledon, the Open golf championship and the British Grand Prix, were exempt from quarantine restrictions during the summer.
That, though, is not the case with regular international football fixtures, leading to the prospect of a significant disruption to a number of Premier League clubs with international players from outside Europe.
