With the 2026 World Cup just around the corner, Liverpool’s international contingent has officially begun their dress rehearsals.
A busy week of international friendlies saw three prominent figures in action for their respective countries, while four more Anfield stars are waiting in the wings to kickstart their tournament warm-ups over the coming days.
From a bizarre booing incident in Brazil to injury anxiety in Japan and a sparkling performance from Florian Wirtz in Germany, here is how Liverpool’s players fared on the international stage.
Alisson quiets transfer rumours after demanding injury layoff
Liverpool’s world-class shot-stopper Alisson Becker started between the sticks for Brazil as they hosted Panama in a high-scoring 6-2 encounter at the iconic Maracanã.
It has been an incredibly turbulent few months for the 33-year-old. Alisson was forced to sit out a massive chunk of the 2025/26 campaign after picking up a severe muscular strain back in mid-March.
His lengthy absence left the Reds stretched thin at the back, but following an intensive rehabilitation program under Arne Slot’s medical team, the keeper made a vital return for Liverpool’s final Premier League fixture playing the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Brentford at Anfield to prove his fitness just in time for international selection
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were devastating in attack, with Vinicius Junior opening the scoring inside two minutes before Casemiro, Rayan, Lucas Paqueta, Igor Thiago and Danilo all got on the scoresheet.
Alisson played the first 45 minutes against Panama, leaving the pitch at half-time with Brazil leading 2-1 via goals from Vinicius Jr. and Casemiro.
However, the talking point was the goal he conceded a strike that took a massive deflection off Matheus Cunha in the wall, entirely wrong-footing the keeper. Social media posts quickly went viral revealing Alisson faced audible booing from sections of the home crowd, a harsh reaction considering the unlucky deflection. A cruel moment for the goalkeeper that sparked boos from his own fans.
Alisson, on the boos he received at the Maracanã:
“Life as a goalkeeper, right? Even when you’re not at fault, you’re guilty. When a goal is conceded, the blame will always fall on the goalkeeper, no matter how it happens. A goalkeeper’s entire career is like that.”
Crucially for Liverpool fans, Alisson’s final-day appearance against Brentford sparked heavy speculation that it might be his emotional farewell, with Serie A giants Juventus and Inter Milan circling. However, reports have strongly quashed these exit rumours.
Recognising him as entirely irreplaceable, Liverpool’s leadership explicitly asked the Brazilian to stay, putting an end to the intense speculation as he looks toward another season at Anfield.
Wataru Endo hands over captain’s armband in highly anticipated return
Over in Tokyo, Wataru Endo finally made his long-awaited return to football during Japan’s 1-0 victory over Iceland.
The industrial midfielder has endured an absolute injury nightmare during the back half of the 2025/26 season. Endo had been completely sidelined since mid-February after tearing ankle ligaments during Liverpool’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sunderland.
His 102-day absence only just ended when he made his first appearance in a matchday squad as an unused substitute against Brentford on the final day of the Premier League season.
Endo was given the green light for the second half of the Iceland friendly, coming off the bench for Ayumu Seko.
Just 14 minutes into the match, veteran defender Maya Yoshida left the pitch and handed the captain’s armband directly over to the Liverpool man, emphasizing his monumental standing within the blue samurai squad.
While concerns emerged when reports noted he finished the half experiencing minor discomfort in his leg, Endo quickly downplayed the fears after the match, insisting:
“It’s hard to explain, but there’s no need to worry.”
Florian Wirtz shines for Germany
Perhaps the most encouraging performance for the Anfield faithful came from Germany, where £116 million playmaker Florian Wirtz starred in Die Mannschaft’s 4-0 dismantling of Finland.
It has been a notoriously difficult debut campaign on Merseyside for the 23-year-old following his British-record transfer from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.
Wirtz endured a slow-burning, frustrating period of adjustment to the intense physicality of the Premier League, going 16 matches before registering his first direct goal involvement and facing heavy criticism over his massive price tag.
While he gradually put those initial “teething troubles” behind him to finish the 2025/26 season on a stronger note with seven goals and 10 assists across all competitions, his explosive international display felt like a true liberation.
Deployed on the left of an attacking trident behind Denis Undav, Wirtz looked like his scintillating old self, ruthlessly pressing the Finnish backline and slotting home Germany’s second goal after an Undav cross.
Clocking six shots (three on target) and 22 total ball carries, this masterclass serves as a massive confidence booster ahead of his journey to North America and a reminder to Kopites of exactly what he will unlock once he fully adapts to English football next term.