Liverpool are next up against Manchester City in the Premier League with Andoni Iraola facing some selection posers
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola during the Premier League match at Bournemouth on September 20 2026
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola during the Premier League match at Bournemouth on September 20 2026(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
View Image
If you think regular international breaks feel like an eternity, wait until you get a load of this one. By bringing the previous September and October windows into one period, the bigwigs and beaks at FIFA have hit upon a three-week gap in which countries will be encouraged to play four matches.
It doubles the amount of games during which Andoni Iraola will have to keep his fingers crossed with Liverpool's next game not until Sunday, October 11 with the Premier League visit of Manchester City.
And here we look ahead to the changes the Reds head coach could make when his team are next in action.
Frimpong pressure
Iraola has a long wait until his full squad reconvenes ahead of the City game, although not every senior player has headed off for national team duty.
But regardless of whether or not those who are called up return unscathed, there's every chance some will have had more minutes in the legs than others, although a Sunday kick-off at least gives maximum time for rest ahead of a period of nine games in 28 days.
Alisson Becker underlined his position as number one goalkeeper and hasn't been called up for Brazil this time around. He will be expected to continue ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman.
Ronald Araujo has emerged as the leading option at right-back but will be pressured by Jeremie Frimpong with Conor Bradley still not close to a return. Joe Gomez is another possibility for Iraola in the position.
Virgil van Dijk and Jeremy Jacquet are the preferred centre-back pairing with both Araujo and Gomez the chief alternatives given Giovanni Leoni has yet to resume training after a year out. Milos Kerkez is ahead of Kostas Tsimikas in the left-back pecking order.
Nyoni wait
Alexis Mac Allister's impressive form continued at Bournemouth and he has swiftly become one of Liverpool's most important players this season. The Argentina international has been partnered for all of his Premier League starts by Dominik Szoboszlai with the duo favourites to continue.
Iraola, though, has options with Ryan Gravenbech pressing for a recall and Trey Nyoni's latest cameo from the bench improving his chances of a first Premier League start.
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page
Debate over Florian Wirtz's contribution from the number 10 role continued after the weekend, and all four of the previously mentioned midfielders are capable of deputising.
Wataru Endo still hasn't played a minute this season and failed to make the matchday squad at Bournemouth, with James McConnell also left out.
Rotation continues
Alexander Isak's winner on the South Coast underlined why he is the main striker with four goals in five league games already this campaign. Lewis Koumas, the 21-year-old Wales international, has emerged as an alternative.
Out wide, Cody Gakpo is making himself indispensable with a fine run of form, but is part of a quartet with Bradley Barcola, Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha that Iraola has long said will be heavily rotated for the start of and during games.
Federico Chiesa has been nursing a back problem but could be in contention after the international break, while youngsters Will Wright and Jayden Danns have been progressing with the under-21s. Hugo Ekitike remains out.