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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Kyle Newbould

Which Liverpool players are at the World Cup as squads confirmed for Qatar

Despite the Premier League being put on hold for the next six weeks, Liverpool fans will still have the chance to watch their heroes as several Reds head to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.

Jurgen Klopp's side ended the first part of the season on a rare high, with Saturday's 3-1 win against Southampton providing a fourth consecutive win in all competitions and a sixth-placed finish going into the winter break. But while the Reds boss, and the majority of his players, will enjoy a well-deserved rest, a number of first-team stars will be on their way to the Middle East.

The Brazilian and English squads will each consist of two Reds, while three other nations will see one of Klopp's men feature. Several have missed out, however, whether it be through injury, selection or qualification. Here's the Echo's guide to Liverpool players heading to Qatar and some of the key omissions.

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England: Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold

Gareth Southgate left it late to announce his 26-man travelling party, confirming on Thursday afternoon that Liverpool duo Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold will both join the Three Lions squad.

Henderson's place on the plane came under minor doubt after a couple of niggling injuries over the last few weeks, but it was Alexander-Arnold whose place seemed under real threat with the form of Reece James, Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier. But injuries to James and Walker - the latter of whom has been risked anyway - all but guaranteed the Reds right-back a place on the plane.

England kick off their tournament next Monday against Iran before facing the USA and Wales.

Brazil: Alisson and Fabinho

Tournament favourites Brazil will also have two Liverpool stars in their ranks, with Fabinho and Alisson Becker both donning the famous yellow jersey in Qatar.

Selecao boss Tite had some task whittling down a star-studded generation of footballers into just 26 men, but opted for the vast experience of Klopp's two core players as he looks to bring a sixth world title back to South America.

Brazil face Serbia in their opener on Thursday, November 24 before playing Switzerland and Cameroon.

Netherlands: Virgil van Dijk

Competing in his first major tournament for the Netherlands, Virgil van Dijk will lead his country out in Qatar next week.

The 31-year-old missed the delayed European championships last year due to the ACL injury picked up during the Merseyside derby, having seen his nation fail to reach the finals of Euro 2016 or the 2018 World Cup.

Under Louis van Gaal, the Dutch will back themselves to go far in the competition and could come up against England as early as the round-of-16. They are in Group A and will face Senegal first on November 21 before Ecuador and hosts Qatar.

France: Ibrahima Konate

Young defender Ibrahima Konate has returned to fitness in perfect time to earn his France call-up. The 23-year-old picked up a knee problem in the final pre-season match against Strasbourg, returning in the 3-2 defeat to Arsenal and starting three games since.

With a number of world-class senior options available, Konate only made his debut in June and has two caps to his name, but a string of solid performances have earned the trust of France boss Didier Deschamps.

France face Australia on Tuesday, November 22, before Denmark and Tunisia.

Uruguay: Darwin Nunez

Fresh off the back of seven goals in 10 games and a brace on Saturday, Darwin Nunez will join his Uruguay teammates in the Middle East for his first World Cup.

The 24-year-old is the latest world-class frontman to come out of Uruguay, joining the veteran duo of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani in Qatar for the tournament.

Nunez's side face South Korea in their group stage opener on Thursday, November 24, before games against Portugal and Ghana.

Staying at home

One of the most notable omissions from a participating squad was Roberto Firmino being left out of Brazil's 26-man party. The Reds striker has been pivotal to any domestic success this season, with nine goals and four assists across all competitions, but faced stiff competition fighting for a place against the likes of Neymar, Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus.

Mohamed Salah will also be missing from the tournament after his Egypt side failed to qualify, having lost to Sadio Mane's Senegal in the final qualifier. Similarly, Andy Robertson's Scotland and Luis Diaz' Colombia failed to make it to the finals - albeit the latter is injured anyway.

Diogo Jota has been ruled out of the Portugal squad after picking up a calf injury against Manchester City, while Joel Matip will not feature for Cameroon, having walked away from international football at just 24.

Young England duo Harvey Elliott and Joe Gomez were on the fringes of the squad but were not selected, nor Thiago Alcantara for Spain.

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