Jurgen Klopp could be handed an unexpected boost in his preparations for next season with Liverpool as reports suggest Brazil could refuse to take part in this summer's Copa America tournament.
Argentina had already been dropped as hosts due to a surge in coronavirus cases in the country, as were co-hosts Colombia for the same reason before holders Brazil were named as the new host nation for the event.
However, reports now suggest that the Brazilian players are unhappy about the last minute change as coronavirus cases rise in the country and will let their opinion on the matter be known, as withdrawing from the competition has not been ruled out.
Alisson, Fabinho and Firmino are in the Brazil squad for two World Cup qualifiers ahead of the scheduled start of the Copa America next weekend, hosting Ecuador on Saturday before travelling to Paraguay four days later.
The Selecao are then due to play Ecuador again in their Copa America group, along with Venezuela, Peru and Colombia.
Liverpool are planning to reconvene for pre-season training on July 12, although any player involved in international competition will be given several weeks off after their involvement has been concluded.
Brazil captain Casemiro did not appear at his scheduled press conference on Thursday and no other member of the team has spoken publicly since Brazil was named as the last-minute venue.
Now, Daily Mail reports players who ply their trade in foreign countries, including the Liverpool trio, will refuse to take part, which could make them available for Jurgen Klopp ahead of schedule.
Brazilian journalist Marcos Bertoncello also posted on Twitter that the players, specifically those who are based in Europe, delayed training so they could hold a meeting with technical committee.
He posted: "Brazilian national team players, those who work in Europe, delayed today's training in Beira-Rio, asking for a meeting with the technical committee. Reason? they don't want to play the Copa America."
Brazil's head coach, Tite said: "They have an opinion, they exposed it to the president ... and they will expose it to the public at the appropriate time.
"We asked our athletes to focus only on the match against Ecuador. We have a priority now, to play well and beat Ecuador. We understand that after the two rounds these situations will be clear.
"I am not avoiding answers and I am giving facts, with the understanding that I have. Copa America is very important. But our match tomorrow is more important."
Health experts in Brazil have issued warnings over a third wave of covid infections this month and protests have been staged against the decision to host Copa America from June 13 in the country amid uncertainty over the health crisis.
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