Roberto Firmino, Alisson Becker, and Fabinho have all been left out of the Brazil squad for the Selecao’s upcoming friendly against Morocco during the March international break.
Brazil take on the African nation, who surprisingly finished fourth in last year’s World Cup in Qatar, in Tangier on March 25. But they will do so without any of the Liverpool trio as caretaker manager Ramon Menezes left them out of his 23-man squad.
Firmino’s absence is perhaps not a surprise given he hasn’t played for his country since the Copa America final in July 2021. Injuries would see the forward, who will leave the Reds at the end of the season, drop out of a number of Brazil squads last season, and, having only been fit to answer one call up since the last edition of the continental competition, he missed out on a place at the World Cup as a result.
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Yet Alisson and Fabinho have both been omitted after representing Selecao at last year’s World Cup. The latter’s absence is perhaps understandable given his mixed form this season, but the former has been number one for Brazil for the majority of his international career.
Man City’s Ederson is one of eight Premier League-based players called up by Menezes, along with Emerson Royal, Renan Lodi, Casemiro, Joao Gomes, Lucas Paqueta, Antony, and Richarlison. As a result, Alisson, at least, faces an unexpected wait regarding his international future and status as his homeland’s first-choice goalkeeper with Brazil yet to decide on a permanent replacement for Tite as national manager.
However, while the trio may be disappointed to miss out on a call-up, it is slightly positive news for Liverpool at least. The Reds face the toughest of weeks following the March international break as they lock horns with Man City, Chelsea, and Arsenal in the space of eight days.
They travel to Man City on April 1 before making the trip to Chelsea on April 4. A home clash with Arsenal then awaits on April 9. After Liverpool’s clash with Fulham on March 18 was postponed due to the Cottagers’ progress in the FA Cup, the Reds now face a 17-day gap between matches as a result of the international break.
As a result, Alisson, Firmino, and Fabinho will at least all be well-rested and avoid risk of international injury ahead of the Reds’ crucial week of fixtures against fellow ‘Big Six’ sides as Klopp’s men look to close the gap on the Premier League top four.
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