The knockout stages of the World Cup got off to a dramatic start, with four Liverpool players already out of the tournament after a dramatic day saw both Germany and the Netherlands eliminated
09:08, 30 Jun 2026
GUADALUPE, MEXICO - JUNE 29: Virgil van Dijk #4 and players of the Netherlands show dejection after their defeat through the penalty shootout during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Netherlands and Morocco at Monterrey Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Guadalupe, Mexico. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Virgil van Dijk reacts after the Netherlands are beaten by Morocco in a penalty shootout(Image: Getty Images)
It was a Monday to forget for Liverpool’s stars at the World Cup, with four of them already out of the tournament with the knockout stages having barely begun.
The Reds had eight players in action heading into the last-32 of this summer’s tournament, but half of those are now heading home after a dramatic day which saw penalty shootout heartache and VAR controversy.
Alisson Becker managed to avoid an early exit as Brazil came from behind to survive a scare against Japan, although Florian Wirtz wasn’t so lucky as his difficult year continued, with Germany falling at the first hurdle against Paraguay.
The four-time world champions were far from their best as they fell behind to a Julio Enciso goal just before half-time. Kai Havertz managed to spare his country’s blushes momentarily with an equalizer after the break, with Wirtz claiming the assist.
The Liverpool star could do nothing to save his country from crashing out of the tournament though, having been substituted before the penalty shootout as Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah all missed from the spot to send Paraguay through.
The result wasn’t without its controversy though, with Germany feeling as though it should have won the game during extra-time.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 29: Florian Wirtz #17 of Germany reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Florian Wirtz's World Cup is already over after Germany's exit(Image: Getty Images)
Tah saw his goal disallowed following a VAR review, with Waldemar Anton judged to have fouled Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill, despite replays showing minimal contact. The decision raised the ire of plenty, including former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
"If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won't be English champions. They've scored 60 percent of their goals that way,” Klopp told MagentaTV.
"We [Germany] win the game when the ball goes in. So, of course, this is brutal."
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Despite the Germans’ anger, it is once again an early exit, with the four-time champions having failed to win a knockout game or make it to the last-16 of the tournament since winning in back in 2014.
And Wirtz wasn’t the only Liverpool player to suffer a heartbreaking defeat on penalties, with three of his teammates suffering the same fate just a few hours later.
Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo were all sent packing as the Netherlands fell to a defeat at the hands of Morocco, with the African side going through 3-2 on penalties.
GUADALUPE, MEXICO - JUNE 29: Cody Gakpo #11 of the Netherlands celebrates with teammates Wout Weghorst #9 and Denzel Dumfries #22 after scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Netherlands and Morocco at Monterrey Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Guadalupe, Mexico. (Photo by Alex Pantling - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Cody Gakpo was left in tears after scoring for the Netherlands(Image: Getty Images)
The Dutch had looked to be heading for the last-16 when Gakpo struck with 18 minutes remaining, with the Liverpool forward left in tears having scored just days after announcing the sad death of his unborn son.
Morocco equalized in the first minute of added time though through Issa Diop, and with Gakpo and Gravenberch having both been substituted, their replacements - Justin Kluivert and Quinten Timber - both missed in the shootout, leaving Van Dijk to reflect on another missed opportunity for his side.
“The game plan was working,” Van Dijk said at full-time. “In the end, in stoppage time, you get pushed back. Then it goes to penalties and then… unfortunately, we’re eliminated.
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“Of course there are always things that could be better, but that doesn’t help us now.”